RT Article
T1 Appreciating the wrongfulness of criminal conducts: implications for the age of criminal responsibility
JF Legal and criminological psychology
VO 22
IS 1
SP 130
OP 149
A1 Wagland, Paul
A2 Bussey, Kay
LA English
YR 2017
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/184628158X
AB Purpose. Although the ability to appreciate the wrongfulness of criminal conduct and to distinguish it from childish mischief forms the basis of Age of Criminal Responsibility (ACR) legislation in many countries, empirical research on the extent to which children possess this ability is limited. It was the aim of this study to investigate this issue. Methods. A total of 132 males and females from four age groups (8, 12, and 16 years and adults) participated in the study. Participants listened to a series of vignettes which described a person committing a transgression. The seriousness of the transgressions varied across vignettes. Participants then provided ratings on the wrongfulness and outcome expectations associated with the conduct described in the vignette. Results. Participants from all age groups evaluated criminal conduct more negatively than mischievous conduct. Participants from all age groups also anticipated more negative self-reactions, more negative reactions from peers, and more severe legal sanctions for criminal conduct. Conclusions. Eight-year-olds from the study sample demonstrated that they meet the current cognitive standard associated with achieving the ACR. These 8-year-olds also provided evidence that they were comparable to older children and adults in terms of their understanding of the wrongfulness of criminal behaviour and the ability to distinguish it from mischievous behaviour.
NO Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 144-147
NO Gesehen am 26.05.2023
NO First published: 26 November 2015
K1 Criminal
K1 Responsibility
K1 Developmental
K1 wrongfulness
K1 conduct
K1 Age
DO 10.1111/lcrp.12090