NCJ Number
166327
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1997) Pages: 234-255
Date Published
1997
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effects of shame proneness and two types of anticipated shame states--shame due to exposure and shame without exposure--in a rational choice model of offending intentions.
Abstract
The study surveyed student volunteers enrolled in two undergraduate behavioral science courses. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 642 students, and 604 students (280 women and 324 men) responded. Dependent study variables were respondent self-reported intentions of drunk driving and shoplifting. Respondents were asked to estimate the risk and severity of losing self-esteem if they were arrested. A 35-item Shame Proneness Scale was constructed to measure shame proneness. It was found that anticipated shame states without exposure reduced intentions to drive drunk and shoplift and that anticipated shame states due to exposure reduced shoplifting intentions. In contrast, shame proneness had a positive effect on decisions to commit both drunk driving and shoplifting offenses. Findings support the rational choice model of offending and indicate effects of shame are important components in individual decisions to offend. Appendixes contain the drunk driving and shoplifting scenarios, the Shame Proneness Scale, and correlation matrixes for variables in offending models. 52 references and 3 tables