The influence of individual differences on the formation of perceptions of risk, social cost, and rewards of crime: A meta-analysis

Purpose: Assess whether individual differences systematically influence perceptions of risk, social costs, and rewards of engaging in crime.Methods: The current study subjected previous research on the association between individual differences and rational choice to a meta-analysis to 1) address whether individual differences influence perceptions of risk, social costs, and reward, 2) identify specific individual differences that influence these perceptions, and 3) assess aspects of study design that influence the associations between individual differences and perceptions.Results: Meta-analyzing 178 estimates suggested that several individual differences influence perceptions of risk, social costs, and rewards. The results also suggested that individual differences among youths have a stronger influence on perceptions of risk and a weaker influence on perceptions of rewards relative to adults.Conclusions: Perceptions are partially a byproduct of individual differences. Future research should examine how components of rational choice (i.e., perceptions of risk and reward) are formed and the processes that link individual differences and perceptions (e.g., early childhood development). Understanding these relationships will allow criminologists to better project the realized impact that might follow policy changes in the criminal justice system.