Question

The theory of deterrence rests on a number of assumptions including

a. severity of punishment is more important than its certainty
b. the notion that the CJS is the only institution able to promote deterrence
c. the use of UCR data to communicate risk of apprehension to potential offenders
d. people have to perceive consequences as unpleasant and act rationally

Answer 1

The correct answer is d) people have to perceive consequences as unpleasant and act rationally.

Step-by-step explanation:

Deterrence theory states that preventing crime is possible only by effects of the threat of punishment, relying on the assumption that humans are motivated to avoid pain and obtain pleasure. Thus, deterrence can dissuade a criminal from taking action, based solely on a credible and certain threat of punishment. This psychological assumption is linked to rational choice theories.

The deterrence theory also states that severity of punishment will do little to deter crime and that certainty of punishment has a greater impact on crime deterrence than severity.