Why People Abandon Their Murder: Empirical Evidence from China

• In Event: Trends & Patterns in Violent Crime

Abstract

Criminological research has predominantly focused on the factors leading individuals to commit crimes, with limited attention given to the reasons behind the abandonment of crimes once initiated. This study explores the phenomenon of individuals who voluntarily desist from their planned homicides, drawing on a unique dataset of 1,420 homicide cases in China between 2015 and 2023, where perpetrators actively halted their violent intentions. Through a detailed analysis, four key mechanisms were identified that explain why perpetrators abandon their murderous plans: 1) changes in the perceived benefits and risks of the crime, 2) cognitive shifts in emotional attachment, 3) alterations in the perception of harm caused by the crime, and 4) emotional swings. The study further investigates the objective conditions that prompt these shifts in decision-making, providing critical insights for policymaking.

Authors

• Lu Liu, Peking University

• Beidi Dong, George Mason University