Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/231490 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
ECONtribute Discussion Paper No. 065
Publisher: 
University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Reinhard Selten Institute (RSI), Bonn and Cologne
Abstract: 
Economic theory suggests that the deterrence of deviant behavior is driven by a combination of severity and certainty of punishment. This paper presents the first controlled experiment to study a third important factor that has been mainly overlooked: the swiftness of formal sanctions. We consider two dimensions: the timing at which the uncertainty about whether one will be punished is dissolved and the timing at which the punishment is actually imposed, as well as the combination thereof. By varying these dimensions of delay systematically, we find a surprising non-monotonic relation with deterrence: either no delay (immediate resolution and immediate punishment) or maximum delay (both resolution and punishment as much as possible delayed) emerge as most effective at deterring deviant behavior and recidivism. Our results yield implications for the design of institutional policies aimed at mitigating misconduct and reducing recidivism.
Subjects: 
Deterrence
Institutions
Punishment
Swiftness
Uncertainty
JEL: 
C91
D02
D81
K42
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
829.78 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.