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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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    10. Entorf, Horst, 2013. "Criminal Victims, Victimized Criminals, or Both? A Deeper Look at the Victim-Offender Overlap," IZA Discussion Papers 7686, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. 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.
    16. James E. Prieger, 2023. "Tax noncompliance: The role of tax morale in smokers' behavior," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 41(4), pages 653-673, October.
    17. 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.
    18. Chen, Daniel L. & Ash, Elliott & Naidu, Suresh, 2022. "Ideas Have Consequences: The Impact of Law and Economics on American Justice," TSE Working Papers 22-1392, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
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