High Volume Criminal Offenders Rate Themselves as Average for Offending Frequency

• In Event: Findings From the University of Cincinnati’s Crime and Sociogenomics Throughout the Life course (CASTLE) Lab

Abstract

As a general rule, when asked to be reflective about themselves, most people will say they are better than average. For example, most people believe they are a better-than-average driver, while men believe they have a lower-than-average chance of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. In their bestselling book, Nudge, Thaler and Sunstein (2009, p. 33) noted: “Unrealistic optimism is a pervasive feature of human life; it characterizes most people in most social categories.” We wondered whether this same phenomenon would apply when people are asked about their level of involvement in crime. We assess this question by analyzing data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Research Unit in New Zealand.

Authors

• J.C. Barnes, University of Cincinnati

• Avshalom Caspi, Duke University

• Tom Moglovkin, University of Cincinnati

• Francesco P. DiRienzo, University of Cincinnati

• Kristonn Stubbs, University of Cincinnati

• Peter T. Tanksley, ALERRT Center, Texas State University

• Terrie Moffitt, Duke University