The aim of this study was to analyze how cheating behavior of a perpetrator is affected by the presence of witnesses and their perceived social identification. Based on the Routine Activity Theory ...Show moreThe aim of this study was to analyze how cheating behavior of a perpetrator is affected by the presence of witnesses and their perceived social identification. Based on the Routine Activity Theory (Cohen & Felson, 1979) and the Social Identity of Deindividuation Effects Model (Postmes et al., 1998), it was hypothesized that perpetrators would be less likely to cheat when there are witnesses present compared to not present, and when the witnesses are part of the in-group compared to the out-group. A third hypothesis postulated public self-awareness as a mediator in the relation between group membership of the witnesses and cheating behavior. The hypotheses were not supported by the data of the current study. It is theorized that the ostensible witnesses in the online experiment were perceived to be insufficiently interactive, resulting in less accountability for the perpetrator. Recommendations are provided for future research to build on these findings.Show less
Routine Activity Theory (RAT) is a widely approved theory in the field of criminology. However, the causal mechanisms of the concept of guardianship within this theory lack experimental...Show moreRoutine Activity Theory (RAT) is a widely approved theory in the field of criminology. However, the causal mechanisms of the concept of guardianship within this theory lack experimental substantiation. The current study aims to capitalize on this research gap by testing the accuracy of RAT in practice, while also assessing the effects of offender-guardian identity similarities using Social Identity Theory (SIT) and deindividuation theory. The research question that is examined is: Does the presence of guardians inhibit cheating behavior, and is this relationship influenced by offenders’ perception of guardians as members of the in-group rather than the out-group? Participants performed an online quiz in which they could cheat. They either did the quiz alone, in the presence of in-group or out-group bystanders. In- and out-groups were manipulated through gender. Inconsistent with prior expectations, a one-way ANOVA showed no significant differences in cheating behavior between the conditions. Also, planned contrast analyses indicated no significant effects of the presence and the social identity of guardians on cheating behavior. Thus, failing to support the notion in RAT that the presence of guardians inhibits criminal behavior and negates the impact of social identity similarities between offender and bystander. However, these results could be subject to the inability to create strong group identities. Future research could therefore implement another manipulation criterion and conduct the quiz offline.Show less