Explaining unselfish behavior: Crime and the helpful bystander
Published
Journal Article
An important force combatting crime consists of the help and cooperation that citizens provide to the victims of crime and to the criminal justice system. This paper analyzes such behavior in light of economic theories of altruism. Using survey data on responses to questions about hypothetical situations involving various crimes, the analysis provides support for explanations of helping based on purely altruistic behavior, cooperative behavior based on self-interest, and behavior guided by social norms. Specifically, income, wealth, age, and race are found to be important in explaining helping behavior. © 1980, All rights reserved.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Clotfelter, CT
Published Date
- January 1, 1980
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 8 / 2
Start / End Page
- 196 - 212
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0094-1190
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/0094-1190(80)90045-5
Citation Source
- Scopus