Journals / Erciyes Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 21 Sayı: 1

Perceptual Deterrence Theory

Algısal Caydırıcılık Teorisi

Şerif Ahmet Öztürk(Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi)0000-0001-8107-4367
Pages
441–472
Publication Date
2026-04-27
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The perceptual deterrence theory provides a new and effective strategy to the policymakers aiming to enhance deterrent effects.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Perceptual deterrence theory argues that changes in the certainty, severity, and celerity of punishment do not affect deterrence by default.
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Key Findings & Data:Incomplete and inaccurate information may encourage potential offenders to continue committing crimes, but it may also be manipulated to become a tool that reinforces deterrence.
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Conclusion & Impact:The perceptual deterrence theory provides a new and effective strategy to the policymakers aiming to enhance deterrent effects.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Ceza Algısı · Caydırıcılık · Risk

Abstract

Perceptual deterrence theory argues that changes in the certainty, severity, and celerity of punishment do not affect deterrence by default. The deterrent effect of changes in criminal policy depends on potential offenders becoming aware of these changes and adjusting their behavior accordingly. Therefore, deterrence is the result of a sociological and psychological process that occurs after the change of the features of punishment. In fact, in some contexts, the deterrent effect of uncertainty about the likelihood of being caught and punished may be greater. For this reason, the perceptual deterrence theory has shifted its focus from the characteristics of punishment to potential offenders' perceptions in this regard. The potential offender who will decide whether to commit a crime based on the likelihood of being caught and punished and the severity of the punishment is likely to have incomplete or even incorrect information. Incomplete and inaccurate information may encourage potential offenders to continue committing crimes, but it may also be manipulated to become a tool that reinforces deterrence. The perceptual deterrence theory provides a new and effective strategy to the policymakers aiming to enhance deterrent effects.

Özet

Algısal caydırıcılık teorisi, cezanın kesinliği, sertliği ve hızında yaşanan değişimlerin caydırıcılığı otomatik olarak etkilemeyeceğini kabul eder. Ceza politikasındaki değişimlerin caydırıcılığı etkileyebilmesi, bu değişikliklerin potansiyel faillerce öğrenilmesi ve davranışlarını değiştirmelerine neden olmasına bağlıdır. Dolayısıyla caydırıcılık, cezanın özelliklerinin değişmesi sonrasında yaşanan sosyolojik ve psikolojik bir sürecin ürünüdür. Öyle ki, bazı durumlarda yakalanma ve cezalandırılma ihtimalindeki belirsizliğin caydırıcı etkisi daha yük-sek olabilir. Bu nedenle algısal caydırıcılık teorisi odak noktasını ceza adaletinden potansiyel faillerin bu konudaki algılarına çevirmiştir. Yakalanma ve cezalandırılma ihtimaliyle alacağı cezanın ağırlığına göre suç işleme kararını verecek olan potansiyel fail, eksik ve hatta yanlış bilgilere sahip olabilir. Eksik ve yanlış bilgiler potansiyel faillerin suç işlemeye devam etmelerine neden olabileceği gibi, manipüle edilerek caydırıcılığı artıracak bir enstrümana dönüşmeleri de mümkündür. Algısal caydırıcılık teorisi, caydırıcılığı artırmayı hedefleyen politika yapıcılara yeni ve verimli bir imkan sağlamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Öztürk, Ş. A. (2026). Perceptual Deterrence Theory. Erciyes Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 21 Sayı: 1, 441–472. https://doi.org/10.58820/eruhfd.1878208

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