PUNISH · Punishment as Communication: Transgressors’ Interpretation and Understanding of Punishment
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2019-07-01 → 2020-06-30
- EU contribution
- €87,403
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Punishment as Communication: Transgressors’ Interpretation and Understanding of Punishment
Punishment can be seen as a moral exchange through which the messages that are (explicitly or implicitly) communicated via punishment are critical in facilitating offenders’ acceptance of their punishment, legitimacy of authority and social norms, and ultimately, behavioural reform and deterrence of future crime. 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. In particular, the project examines whether the “quality” of the interaction between decision-makers (i.e., punishers) and transgressors—as experienced through social dynamics of the court process, such as expressing empathy and respect to transgressors, and giving them voice—influences the way transgressors approach and make sense of their punishment. The insights from this research has important implications for how we should deliver punishment to enhance justice outcomes, whether in the context of formal legal proceedings or informal sanctions.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
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.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN · PlaneggCoordinatorGermany
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/839639
- http://www.en.uni-muenchen.de/about_lmu/research/collaborations/eu_proj/h2020/en_proj/1es/h2020_en_excellent_science_msca_if/index.html
Data: CORDIS, © European Union