Perceptual reactance and criminal risk-taking

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential perception of criminal risk by individuals identified as Reducers, Augmenters and Moderates according to their tendency to subjectively alter perceived size. Serious young offenders of both sexes have been found to be overly represented by Reducers. One possible explanation for this is that Reducers, who have a greater tolerance for pain, are less aware of the experiencing of pain by others, rendering them likely to perceive potentially criminal situations as less risky than do Augmenters. The Behavior Prediction Scale and Petrie's kinesthetic aftereffect measure of perceptual reactance were administered to 46 Ss drawn from a university undergraduate population. Reducers were found most willing to take criminal risks. Moderates unwilling to, and Augmenters least willing to. This was not due to differences in sensitivity to the experiencing of pain by others, however, contrary to expectations. The implications of these findings and suggestions for further research are discussed.