WOULD YOU STEAL $1,000,000? A CLASSROOM EXPERIMENT

Every year, in my Criminology class I conduct an experiment. When we are beginning to discuss theories (starting with Classical Criminology), I ask the students to take out a blank sheet of paper, and to not write their name on it. I then ask them to respond to the following scenario: Imagine that you have an opportunity to steal $1,000,000. You have a 0% chance of getting caught (I repeat these two sentences). You don’t know where the money came from. Which of the following would you do? Would you: A) do it; B) think about doing it; or C) not do it? Please write down your choice. If you wish, you can include a one- or two-sentence explanation as to why you chose a particular response. Because students always fall into each of the three categories, I refer to the results (and their explanations for their choices) for the rest of the semester in discussing Rational Choice theory, Psychological theories, Deterrence, Punishment, Socialization, Moral Development, Routine Activities Approach, and Target Hardening.