He Rational Villain Myth. Statistics and Psychology versus Economic Analysis of Law Cover Image

Mit racjonalnego łotra. Statystyka i psychologia kontra ekonomiczna analiza prawa
He Rational Villain Myth. Statistics and Psychology versus Economic Analysis of Law

Author(s): Radosław Zyzik
Subject(s): Criminal Law, Political economy, Social psychology and group interaction, Cognitive Psychology, Behaviorism, Law on Economics
Published by: Akademia Leona Koźmińskiego
Keywords: homo economicus; behavioral analysis of law; criminal law; decisions;

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the paper is to critically assess the economic decision making model in criminal law from the perspective of empirical legal studies and behavioral analysis of law. In the second half of the XX century the economic theory of punishment had dominant influence on criminal law policy in US. At the beginning of XXI century numerous statistical studies have shown limited effectiveness of the economic approach and harmful effects of the large number of prisoners currently being incarcerated. Therefore the new model of decision-making in criminal law was needed. Psychologists, behavioral economists and proponents of behavioral analysis of law were able to identify factors influencing decisions of criminals including hyperbolic discounting, optimism bias and affective forecasting.

  • Issue Year: 2018
  • Issue No: 29
  • Page Range: 67-86
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: Polish