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On the Behavioral Economics of Crime

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  • van Winden Frans A.A.M.

    (University of Amsterdam; Columbia University)

  • Ash Elliott

    (University of Amsterdam; Columbia University)

Abstract

This paper examines the implications of the brain sciences’ mechanistic model of human behavior for our understanding of crime. The standard rational-choice crime model is refined by a behavioral approach, which proposes a decision model comprising cognitive and emotional decision systems. According to the behavioral approach, a criminal is not irrational but rather ‘ecologically rational,’ outfitted with evolutionarily conserved decision modules adapted for survival in the human ancestral environment. Several important cognitive as well as emotional factors for criminal behavior are discussed and formalized, using tax evasion as a running example. The behavioral crime model leads to new perspectives on criminal policy-making.

Suggested Citation

  • van Winden Frans A.A.M. & Ash Elliott, 2012. "On the Behavioral Economics of Crime," Review of Law & Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 8(1), pages 181-213, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:rlecon:v:8:y:2012:i:1:n:8
    DOI: 10.1515/1555-5879.1591
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    4. Feess, Eberhard & Sarel, Roee, 2022. "Optimal fine reductions for self-reporting: The impact of loss aversion," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
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    6. Baumann, Florian & Benndorf, Volker & Friese, Maria, 2019. "Loss-induced emotions and criminal behavior: An experimental analysis," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 134-145.
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    8. Basiglio Stefania & Foresta Alessandra & Turati Gilberto, 2021. "Impatience and crime. Evidence from the NLSY97," Working papers 073, Department of Economics and Statistics (Dipartimento di Scienze Economico-Sociali e Matematico-Statistiche), University of Torino.
    9. Chopard, Bertrand & Obidzinski, Marie, 2021. "Public law enforcement under ambiguity," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    10. Okeke, Edward N. & Godlonton, Susan, 2014. "Doing wrong to do right? Social preferences and dishonest behavior," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 124-139.
    11. Roee Sarel, 2022. "Crime and punishment in times of pandemics," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 54(2), pages 155-186, October.
    12. Mirzaoglu, Gulbike, 2023. "Essays in economics of crime prevention and behavior under uncertainty," Other publications TiSEM 2365661f-9f4d-4511-ad2f-6, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    13. Arthur Schram, 2016. "Gordon Tullock and experimental public choice," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 214-226, June.
    14. Lia Q. Flores & Julian Jamison, 2023. "Predicting life outcomes with automatic thinking measures in a marginalized population," Economics Series Working Papers 1005, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
    15. Cind Du Bois, 2017. "A prospect theory perspective on terrorism," International Journal of Business and Social Research, LAR Center Press, vol. 7(5), pages 1-8, May.
    16. van Winden, Frans, 2015. "Political economy with affect: On the role of emotions and relationships in political economics," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 40(PB), pages 298-311.
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    18. Yuqing Wang & Yan Ru Pei, 2019. "The Optimal Deterrence of Crime: A Focus on the Time Preference of DWI Offenders," Papers 1909.06509, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2019.

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