scholarly journals Indirect Effects of a Policy Altering Criminal Behavior: Evidence from the Italian Prison Experiment

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Drago ◽  
Roberto Galbiati
Keyword(s):  
Peer Effects ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Geographical Origin ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Reference Groups ◽  
Social Multiplier ◽  
Former Inmates

We exploit the 2006 Italian prison pardon to evaluate peer effects in criminal behavior. The pardon randomly commutes actual sentences to expected sentences for 40 percent of the Italian prison population. Using prison and geographical origin to construct reference groups for former inmates, we find large indirect effects of this policy. In particular, we find that the reduction in the individuals' recidivism due to an increase in their peers' residual sentence is at least as large as their response to an increase in their own residual sentence. From this result we estimate a social multiplier in crime of two. (JEL D12, K42, Z13)

Identification and Estimation of Endogenous Peer Effects in the Presence of Multiple Reference Groups

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadat Reza ◽  
Puneet Manchanda ◽  
Juin-Kuan Chong
Keyword(s):  
Peer Effects ◽  
Reference Groups ◽  
Multiple Reference

Peer effects in the valuation and practices of food safety: findings from the study of dairy consumers in India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Chandra ◽  
Abdul Munasib ◽  
Devesh Roy ◽  
Vinay K. Sonkar
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Peer Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Social Multiplier ◽  
Multiplier Effects ◽  
The Right

Purpose Information is often available to consumers through their social networks. Focusing on dairy consumers in India, this paper aims to present evidence of peer effects in consumers’ attitudes towards various food safety attributes and food safety practices. Design/methodology/approach Unobserved individual heterogeneities are crucial confounders in the identification of social (endogenous) effects. The identification is based on exploiting within-consumer variation across different aspects of attitude (or practices) related to food safety. Findings This paper uses a novel identification strategy that allows for average effects across attributes and practices to be estimated. Using the strategy, though this paper cannot estimate endogenous effects in each attribute or practice, this paper is able to identify such effects averaged over attributes or practices. Research limitations/implications Cross-sectional study, caste affiliation is not defined at the right level of granularity. Practical implications The results suggest that information campaigns aimed at creating awareness about food safety can have social multiplier effects, and this also translates into changes in the practices followed to mitigate food safety risks. Social implications In health-related awareness and practices, there are well-established cases of multiplier effects. The most significant example of this is the Pulse Polio campaign in India, where an awareness drives through social multiplier effects had such a significant impact that in 2012 India was declared polio-free. Perhaps, a similar campaign in matters related to food safety could be very fruitful. Originality/value The methodology and the issue are unique. Little exists in assessing social networks in the context of food safety.

“Peer effects” in capital structure decision of Chinese firms-empirical investigation based on Chinese a-share listed firms

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianli Zhong ◽  
Tianyu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Peer Effects ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Structure Theory ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Decisions ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Social Multiplier ◽  
Peer Firms

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify if peer firms’ capital structure decision plays a role in determining focal firms’ capital structure decision, despite the fact that correlated effects can also lead to co-movement of financing behavior among firms from the same industry (i.e. industry-specific capital structure). Design/methodology/approach Instead of using relative measurement (of individual outcome variable over industry variable) as in previous work, this paper borrows the linear-in-means model and, after controlling for potential endogeneity problems, directly identifies the existence of peer effects with coefficient estimation. To deal with correlated effects, additional empirical investigations such as test of heterogeneity in direction and scale, social multiplier identification test and instrumental regression test based on another instrumental variable (that is less influenced by correlated effects) are performed. Findings Using data from Chinese listed firms, this paper, for the first time, identifies the presence of peer effects in capital structure and debt maturity decision. Further investigations show that first, focal firms react asymmetrically to peer firms’ debt adjustment of different direction and scale. Second, social multiplier, a unique attribute of peer effects, is identified in the leverage choices. Third, the significant correlation of capital structure decision remains even if we use another “correlated effects-immune” instrument. All these results point to the fact that peer effects, rather than correlated effects, play a significant role in determining capital structure. Practical implications The empirical results of this paper provide strong evidence that firms, driven by motivations such as either learning or competition, will actively react to peers’ financial decisions. As the bridge between individual firms and the industry, social multiplier can be fully taken advantage of to induce positive spillover of good management practices and prohibit inefficient decisions from spreading. Originality/value This paper theoretically and empirically introduces peer effects – a well-acknowledged social concept – into capital structure decision of Chinese listed firms, thus both complementing the traditional capital structure theory and providing an empirical paradigm for peer effects research.

Hair Mineral Analysis: Biochemical Imbalances and Violent Criminal Behavior

1989 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F. Cromwell ◽  
Ben R. Abadie ◽  
Jay T. Stephens ◽  
Marilee Kyler
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Function Analysis ◽  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Trace Minerals ◽  
Mineral Analysis ◽  
Violent Criminal ◽  
Hair Mineral Analysis ◽  
Mineral Levels ◽  
Different Levels

Trace mineral analysis of human hair was utilized to determine whether violent and nonviolent criminals could be differentiated on the basis of concentrations of levels of major and trace minerals. 40 violent and 40 nonviolent inmates from a prison population were selected for study. 27 mineral levels were analyzed and a discriminant function analysis correctly classified 86% of the violent and 78% of the nonviolent inmates. The results lent support to the hypothesis that significantly different levels of trace minerals could be found between the two groups.

scholarly journals Older and incarcerated: policy implications of aging prison populations

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Psick ◽  
Jonathan Simon ◽  
Rebecca Brown ◽  
Cyrus Ahalt
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Correctional Policy ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Prison Populations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the policy Implications of aging prison populations. Design/methodology/approach An examination of the worldwide aging trend in prison and its implications for correctional policy, including an examination of population aging in California prisons as a case example of needed reform. Findings Prison populations worldwide are aging at an unprecedented rate, and age-related medical costs have had serious consequences for jurisdictions struggling to respond to the changes. These trends are accompanied by a growing body of evidence that old age is strongly correlated with desistance from criminal behavior, suggesting an opportunity to at least partially address the challenges of an aging prison population through early release from prison for appropriate persons. Originality/value Some policies do exist that aim to reduce the number of older, chronically ill or disabled and dying people in prison, but they have not achieved that goal on a sufficient scale. An examination of the situation in California shows that recognizing how the healthcare needs of incarcerated people change as they age – and how aging and aging-related health changes often decrease an older person’s likelihood of repeat offense – is critical to achieving effective and efficient policies and practices aimed at adequately caring for this population and reducing their numbers in prisons when appropriate.

scholarly journals Association of serotonin system-related genes with homicidal behavior and criminal aggression in a prison population of Pakistani Origin

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Imran Qadeer ◽  
Ali Amar ◽  
Yung-Yu Huang ◽  
Eli Min ◽  
Hanga Galfalvy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Verbal Abuse ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
Intermediate Phenotypes ◽  
Serotonin System ◽  
Pakistani Origin ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Violence

AbstractThe serotonin transporter (SLC6A4), 5-HT2A (HTR2A) and 5-HT2B (HTR2B) recepter genes, express proteins that are important regulators of serotonin reuptake and signaling, and thereby may contribute to the pathogenesis of aggressive criminal behavior. 370 sentenced murderers in Pakistani prisons and 359 men without any history of violence or criminal delinquency were genotyped for six candidate polymorphisms in SLC6A4, HTR2A and HTR2B genes. An association of higher expressing L/L and LA/LA variants of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was observed with homicidal behavior (bi-allelic: OR = 1.29, p = 0.016, tri-allelic: OR = 1.32, p = 0.015) and in the murderer group only with response to verbal abuse (OR = 2.11, p = 0.015), but not with other measures of self-reported aggression. L/L and LA/LA genotypes of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism were associated with higher aggression scores on STAX1 scale of aggression compared to lower expressing genotypes (S/S, S/LG, LG/LG) in prison inmates. No associations were apparent for other serotonergic gene polymorphisms analyzed. Using the Braineac and GTEx databases, we demonstrated significant eQTL based functional effects for rs25531 in HTTLPR and other serotonergic polymorphisms analyzed in different brain regions and peripheral tissues. In conclusion, these findings implicate SLC6A4* HTTLPR as a major genetic determinant associated with criminal aggression. Future studies are needed to replicate this finding and establish the biologic intermediate phenotypes mediating this relationship.

scholarly journals Direct and Indirect Effects of Injunctive Norms on Marijuana Use: The Role of Reference Groups*

2010 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 904-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Labrie ◽  
Justin F. Hummer ◽  
Andrew Lac ◽  
Christine M. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Direct And Indirect Effects ◽  
Reference Groups ◽  
Injunctive Norms

scholarly journals The Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS) as a resource for investigating neighbourhood peer effects: A case study using natural experiment(s) in fertility and labour market participation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Le Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Peer Effects ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Natural Experiments ◽  
Social Multiplier ◽  
Labour Market Participation ◽  
Multiplier Effect

Our neighbours can potentially influence our behaviour. For instance, poor health behaviours amongst neighbours may normalise and reinforce our poor health behaviours. This is an example of a peer effect. Imitative behaviour can cause small initial changes in individual behaviour to spread amongst their social networks and result in a social multiplier effect. Understanding the size and mechanisms behind the social multiplier effect allows for more effective health interventions. It also helps us understand why persistent health inequalities exist across different neighbourhoods and social groups.In an ideal experiment, we would randomly allocate people into treatment and control groups and change the behaviours of persons A in the treatment group (directly or through incentives). Then we would observe the effects of changes in person A's behaviour on their neighbour person B. This ideal experiment is practically and (possibly) ethically unfeasible. Furthermore, data on a large enough sample of people and their neighbours is very expensive to collect.Instead of a normal experiment, we can use natural experiments which change person A's behaviour. In this paper, we use a well-known natural experiment that affects women's fertility and, indirectly, their labour market participation. Furthermore, data on people and their neighbours are available from the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS).The Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study (NILS) is a longitudinal study consisting of 28% of the NI census and roughly 50% of all households. The NILS is linked to a database of all addressable properties in NI which include the coordinates of residences. In theory, NILS contains a large sample of households in NI and their close neighbours that can be used for studying peer effects.This project is a proof of concept for studying peer effects using NILS. If any random intervention exists (e.g. natural, quasi- or actual randomised trial) then NILS can always be used to study peer effects (amongst neighbours). This is significant because peer effects are notoriously hard to study due data limitations and a large number of credible natural experiments exist in health research. This project's contribution is the discovery that NILS almost uniquely placed as resource for studying peer effects in the UK.

scholarly journals A Revolving Door? A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Custodial Sanctions on Reoffending

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon M. Petrich ◽  
Travis C. Pratt ◽  
Cheryl Lero Jonson ◽  
Francis T. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Revolving Door ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Statistical Dependence ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
The Impact

Research Summary: Despite a downsizing of the prison population over the last decade, the United States remains the world’s largest incarcerator. While prior meta-analytic reviews have indicated prisons have a null or slight criminogenic effect, there has been a substantial increase in primary studies assessing the impact of custodial sanctions on reoffending since 2010. The current study conducts the most comprehensive and rigorous meta-analytic review of research to date comparing the effects of custodial and non-custodial sanctions on reoffending. Using a sample of 959 effect sizes calculated from 116 studies, this review builds on prior research by (a) conducting the first inclusive review of the research in over a decade; (b) drawing on advancements in modeling techniques that could account for the precision and statistical dependence of effect sizes; and (c) examining whether a wide variety of methodological characteristics moderate mean effect sizes. The results of multilevel analyses revealed that custodial sanctions have a weak criminogenic effect on reoffending and that this effect is relatively robust across a wide variety of methodological moderators. Policy Implications: America’s reliance on incarceration is unlikely to wane in the near future. However, the results of the current study illustrate that incarceration is not achieving one of its oft-desired goals of deterrence. While there is certainly a subset of high-risk offenders for whom incapacitation is warranted, in general, placing individuals in custodial sanctions appears to contribute to, rather than reduce, reoffending. As a result, sentencing low-level offenders and marginal felons to non-custodial sanctions may lead to considerable savings for correctional departments and allow offenders to be connected to and contribute to their communities while reducing reoffending. For the sake of public safety and those for whom incarceration is appropriate, however, more research is needed on the in-prison social and psychological dynamics increase post-release criminal behavior.

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