Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 7-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF PERCEIVED CERTAINTY AND SEVERITY OF PUNISHMENT REVISITED *

THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF PERCEIVED CERTAINTY AND SEVERITY OF PUNISHMENT REVISITED * This paper synthesizes and extends recent criticisms of cross‐sectional and panel studies of perceptual deterrence and then uses those criticisms to design a better cross‐sectional study. A series of scenarios involving the noncompliance of a hypothetical plumber were posed to a sample of predominantly middle‐aged administrators. The respondents were asked to estimate the probability that the noncompliance would be detected and, if detected, the probability that it would result in criminal prosecution. Respondents were also asked to project their own behavior if in the plumber's position. The results contrast sharply with prior findings, especially of the panel studies. Not only do perceptions of detection risk play an important role in deterring tax noncompliance, but fear of criminal prosecution appears to be a powerful deterrent. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Criminology Wiley

THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF PERCEIVED CERTAINTY AND SEVERITY OF PUNISHMENT REVISITED *

KLEPPER, STEVEN; NAGIN, DANIEL
Criminology , Volume 27 (4) – Nov 1, 1989
Download PDF
26 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/wiley/the-deterrent-effect-of-perceived-certainty-and-severity-of-punishment-v45Y2PvndS

References (31)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1989 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0011-1384
eISSN
1745-9125
DOI
10.1111/j.1745-9125.1989.tb01052.x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This paper synthesizes and extends recent criticisms of cross‐sectional and panel studies of perceptual deterrence and then uses those criticisms to design a better cross‐sectional study. A series of scenarios involving the noncompliance of a hypothetical plumber were posed to a sample of predominantly middle‐aged administrators. The respondents were asked to estimate the probability that the noncompliance would be detected and, if detected, the probability that it would result in criminal prosecution. Respondents were also asked to project their own behavior if in the plumber's position. The results contrast sharply with prior findings, especially of the panel studies. Not only do perceptions of detection risk play an important role in deterring tax noncompliance, but fear of criminal prosecution appears to be a powerful deterrent.

Journal

Criminology – Wiley

Published: Nov 1, 1989

There are no references for this article.