Juvenile Delinquency Exam 1 Practice 2026 - Free Juvenile Justice Practice Questions and Study Guide

The premise of specific deterrence centers on the idea that when an offender is punished for a crime, the experience of that punishment is intended to discourage them from committing future offenses. The rationale is that if individuals face severe consequences for their actions, they will be less inclined to engage in similar behavior again, as the fear of experiencing severe punishment weighs heavily on their decision-making processes. This approach is rooted in the belief that the threat or imposition of a significant penalty can instill a fear of repercussions, which, in turn, can lead to a reduction in repeat offenses.

The correct answer reflects the fundamental concept of specific deterrence in criminology, which is specifically focused on the individual offender rather than the broader community or social factors. Other options discuss rehabilitation, community learning, and educational interventions, which are more aligned with different theories of crime prevention and intervention, such as rehabilitation or social learning theories, rather than the principle of deterrence itself.