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Punishment as Communication: Transgressors’ Interpretation and Understanding of Punishment

Projektbeschreibung

Die Kommunikationstheorie der Bestrafung auf dem Prüfstand

Ein wesentlicher Zweck von Bestrafungen ist, den Tätern mitzuteilen, dass ihre Handlungen verurteilt werden. Eltern disziplinieren ihre Kinder bei einem Fehlverhalten und Gerichte verhängen gegen verurteilte Straftäter Gefängnisstrafen. Die Bestrafung ist unwirksam, wenn die Missetäter die beabsichtigte Botschaft ignorieren oder nicht verstehen können. Das EU-finanzierte Projekt PUNISH untersucht die Arten von Botschaften, die Missetäter durch eine Bestrafung empfangen (wofür sie ihrer Meinung nach bestraft werden) und wie sie darauf reagieren. Haben sie zum Beispiel Gefühle der Reue oder fühlen sie sich falsch behandelt? Das Projekt bildet einen theoretischen Rahmen (Rechtsphilosophie, Sozialpsychologie und Verhaltensökonomie) und prüft Hypothesen in kontrollierten experimentellen Laboruntersuchungen sowie in einer Gerichtsumgebung.

Ziel

Punishment is ubiquitous. We discipline children when they misbehave, and we demand even harsher sanctions for criminal offences. Punishment is thought to serve a communicative purpose: Through punishment, victims and third parties seek to send various “messages” to transgressors (e.g. condemning the wrongness of the act and imploring them to reform). But are these messages effectively delivered and understood by transgressors? And does the interpretation of a punitive message have the desired effects on the transgressor?

To answer these questions, this research examines (a) the types of messages transgressors receive through punishment (why they think they are being punished), and (b) transgressors’ reactions to them (e.g. perceived fairness, experienced remorse). Further, it explores (c) the features of a punitive message that influences how the message is interpreted by transgressors. The research will be built on a theoretical framework that integrates knowledge from three distinct fields: legal philosophy, social psychology, and behavioural economics. The specific hypotheses deducted from this framework will be tested in controlled experimental lab studies as well as in a court setting.

The insights from this research will be informative to all disciplines interested in criminal justice and punishment. First, this research will develop our theoretical understanding of punitive procedures and their effects. Second, it has important implications for how we should deliver punishment to enhance justice outcomes, whether in the context of formal legal proceedings or informal sanctions.

The quality of the research will be strengthened by access to exceptional research facilities and expertise at the host university, and interdisciplinary collaboration with scholars both within the university and beyond. Further, the expertise and methodological training acquired through the fellowship will significantly develop the researcher’s capacities and profile.

Koordinator

LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN
Netto-EU-Beitrag
€ 87 403,20
Adresse
GESCHWISTER SCHOLL PLATZ 1
80539 MUNCHEN
Deutschland

Auf der Karte ansehen

Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Aktivitätstyp
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Gesamtkosten
€ 87 403,20