How modern psychology can help us understand white-collar criminals
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to add to the theoretical discussion of white-collar crime by introducing modern psychological decision-making literature and the potential effect on white-collar offending.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a theoretical approach, literature on heuristics, innovation and stress, insight into why white-collar offenders decide to commit crime is posited.
Findings
The heuristics and strategies that people use to assist in decision-making process may inadvertently promote white-collar crime. For example, stress may inhibit white-collar offenders’ thinking, causing them to discount the risk of committing said offense; individuals may not challenge the success of carrying out a white-collar offense once it is considered; and generally, people will be more optimistic in considering their success of not getting caught.
Originality/value
Currently, the study of white-collar crime is discussed largely in the context of sociological factors. Current psychological theories have considerable explanatory power in understanding why white-collar offenders commit their crimes.
Keywords
Citation
Dearden, T.E. (2019), "How modern psychology can help us understand white-collar criminals", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 61-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-11-2017-0103
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited