NCJ Number
80278
Journal
Journal of Urban Economics Volume: 8 Issue: 2 Dated: (1980) Pages: 196-212
Date Published
1980
Length
17 pages
Annotation
An important force combatting crime consists of the help and cooperation that citizens provide to the victims of crime and to the criminal justice system. This paper analyzes such behavior in light of economic theories of altruism.
Abstract
Using survey data on responses to questions about hypothetical situations involving various crimes, the analysis provides support for explanations of helping based on purely altruistic behavior, cooperative behavior based on self-interest, and behavior guided by social norms. Specifically, income, wealth, age, and race are found to be important in explaining helping behavior. (Author abstract)