If the individual decides that the threat of punishment (such as a prison sentence) is undesirable, then ______ suggests that that particular individual will make the decision NOT to engage in the criminal behavior.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Specific deterrence focuses on the individual offender and aims to prevent them from committing future crimes by demonstrating the negative consequences of their actions through punishment. Therefore, if the individual perceives the threatened punishment as undesirable, they are less likely to engage in criminal behavior in the future. General deterrence, on the other hand, aims to prevent potential offenders from committing crimes by demonstrating the negative consequences to society as a whole. Individual deterrence and retributive deterrence are not commonly used terms in the deterrence theory literature.

If the Individual Decides That the Threat of Punishment (Such