Decriminalization of articles of the Criminal code and the formation of "norms of revenge" in schoolchildren

• Main Authors: Safuanov F.S., Bodrova O. K., Dokuchaeva N. V.
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Moscow State University of Psychology and Education 2016-10-01
• Series: Психология и право
• Subjects: legal consciousness; the rule of retaliation; decriminalization; justice; punishment
• Online Access: http://psyjournals.ru/psyandlaw/2016/n3/82930.shtml

In light of the upcoming decriminalization of minor offenses, the article considers the problem of formation of "norms of revenge" as one of the components of legal consciousness. The study of explicit representations of pupils of 5 th and 10 th grade and adults about the penalties for crimes of varying severity. Pupils have also investigated implicit beliefs. Among all groups surveyed understanding of the necessary terms of punishment for crimes does not coincide with the norms of criminal legislation, their ideas about the "rule of retaliation" involve a more severe punishment for almost all crimes, especially small weight. At the same time, adults and students adequately understand the hierarchy of seriousness of the offence. The gap between the explicit and the implicit ideas about the "rule of retribution" for the crimes was noted only in the youngest adolescents. In adults, compared to juveniles, there is a more pronounced polarization and differentiation of views on the measures necessary punishment for the crime. The conclusion is that in the process of education pay little attention to the formation of an adequate evaluation of the relationship to law students.