Deterrence theory and intention of offending: Assessing the role of anticipated shaming

• In Event: Considering and Evaluating Choice-Based Policies and Perspectives

Abstract

Purpose of the Study. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between formal and informal deterrence and intention to drive after drinking. Further, the study also assessed the extent to which the anticipated self-conscious emotion of shaming effectively inhibited people’s intention of drunk driving. Design of the Study. The current study utilizes data that was originally collected for a study of South Koreans’ perceptions of traffic penalties granted from the Korean National Police Agency in 2013. The study's targeted population was Korean adults over 20 years old who hold a valid driver’s license. A total of 1,241 individuals participated in paper/pencil surveys. Major Findings. Sanction risk and informal social control increased anticipated shaming, which in turn reduced drunk driving intention. The mediation effects of anticipated shaming were found to be partial, as the strength of the association between anticipated shaming and the drunk driving intention was weaker than that of formal deterrence or informal deterrence. Conclusions. We believe that greater attention should be given to informal social control in crime control efforts rather than as a secondary “add-on” in the context of rational choice theory.

Authors

• Yongjae Nam, Michigan State University

• Yeon-Soo Kim, Dongguk University, Seoul, Korea

• Kwang Hyun Ra, Dong-A University