People who believe that they will be caught if they commit crime are the ones most likely to be deterred from committing criminal acts. What element of deterrence does this reflect?

Question

People who believe that they will be caught if they commit crime are the ones most likely to be deterred from committing criminal acts. What element of deterrence does this reflect?​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The element of deterrence reflected in this statement is the certainty of punishment. People who believe that they will be caught if they commit a crime are more likely to be deterred from doing so because they perceive a high likelihood of being punished. The perception of punishment (A), severity of punishment (B), and speed of punishment (C) may also be important factors in deterrence, but the certainty of punishment is considered the most critical element.

People Who Believe That They Will Be Caught If They