The fear of punishment acts as a deterrent, this is best understood through rightrealism (people are responsible for their own actions) and rational choice theory (people have free will). The cost of sanction and the gain from a crime impact whether someone thinks it’s worth to commit a crime.
Rational choice theory depends on weighing up the costs and benefits eg. money, status, fun, survival vs death, prison, restrictions. The severity and certainty of punishment (likelihood of getting caught) - the higher the severity and likelihood of getting caught the less likely it is that a crime will be committed.
Assess whether suspended sentences meet the aim of individual deterrence. 1/2
Suspended sentences meet the aims of individual deterrence since it prevents reoffending of the individual. Right Realism would support this by stating that people are responsible for their own actions, exercising their free will to do so. When issued a suspended sentence (an external form of social control) the offender is less likely to reoffend since the cost outweighs the benefits (rational choice theory).
Assess whether suspended sentences meet the aim of individual deterrence. 2/2
This would also depend on the severity of the crime and the likelihood of being caught. Potential reoffenders are more likely to be caught.
