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Visceral factors, criminal behavior and deterrence: empirical evidence and policy implications

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  • Mojtaba Ghasemi

    (University of Siena)

Abstract

This paper purports to consider visceral factors influences on the criminal behavior in the current literature of economics of crime and analyze the optimal and actual criminal law through Becker’s model. First, it tries to investigate the comparative responsiveness of different kinds of crime to the deterrence variables and verify the hypothesis that visceral factors are more influential on the committing of violent crimes through surveying 15 empirical studies. The result of this survey verified that violent crimes are less responsive to the deterrence variables than non-violent crimes. Relatively higher influence of visceral factors on the committing of violent crimes can be considered through lower amounts for crime supply’s punishment and probability of apprehension elasticities in the Becker’s model. Optimality in this framework implies that these crimes should be punished leniently that implicitly indicates that expected punishment doesn’t work as deterrent in this case. From a policy making point of view, because visceral factors play a strong role in committing violent crimes, severe punishment may be ineffective and preventive policies addressing the roots of violent, visceral crimes may represent a superior alternative.

Suggested Citation

  • Mojtaba Ghasemi, 2015. "Visceral factors, criminal behavior and deterrence: empirical evidence and policy implications," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 39(1), pages 145-166, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ejlwec:v:39:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1007_s10657-012-9357-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10657-012-9357-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Barati, Mehdi & Adams, Scott, 2019. "Enhanced penalties for carrying firearms illegally and their effects on crime," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 207-219.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Visceral factors; Deterrence hypothesis; Law enforcement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law

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