Skip to main content
Log in

The value of user image in quelling aberrant consumer behavior

  • Published:
Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Shoplifting has reached epidemic proportions. Traditional approaches to keeping this behavior under control have met with limited success. This article explores the use of user image to decrease shoplifting. The analysis supports the approach. If the image of the “typical shoplifter” is made more negative, individuals anxious to disassociate themselves with the negative image will be less likely to shoplift.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arboleda-Florez, J.; Durie, H.; and Castello, J. 1977, “Shoplifting-An Ordinary Crime?”International Journal of Offender Theory and Comparative criminology, 21 (3):201–207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asch, S.E. 1951, “Effects of Group Pressures Upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgements,” in H. Guetzkow (ed.) Groups, Leadership and Men, Pittsburgh; Carnegie Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ba-Yances, I. and Allen, D.E. 1979, “Shoplifting and Residence in College,”Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology, 7 (1):82–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, Ann 1974, “Shoplifting Behaviors, College Students and Assessment in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and the K.D. Proveness Scale,”Dissertation Abstracts International, 34:3485, (January).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, E.A. and McIntyre, F.C. 1977 “MMPI Pattern of Shoplifters Within a Coll Pop”,Psychology Reports, 41, 1037–1040.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beers, Janice S. 1974, “A Comparison of Shoplifters and Non-Shoplifters: A Study of Student Self Concepts,”Dissertation Abstracts International, 34 (7-B):3455–3456, (January).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bickman, L. 1979. “Interpersonal Influence and the Reporting of a Crime,”Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 5:32–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bickman, L. and Green, S.K. 1977, “Situational Clues and Crime Reporting: Do Signs Make A Difference?”Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 7 (1):1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bickman, L. and Rosenbaum, O.P. 1977, “Crime Reporting as a Function of Bystander Encouragement, Surveillance, and Credibility,”Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 35:577–586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birdwell, A.E. 1968, “A Study of the Influence of Image Congruence on Consumer Choice,”Journal of business, 41 (January), 76–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castelnvovo-Tedesco, P. 1974, “Stealing, Revenge and the Monte Cristo Complex,”International Journal of Psycho-Analysis 55 (2):169–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, P.R. and Scott, J.W. 1973. “A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Juvenile Offenders, Offenses, Due Processes, and Societies: The Cases of Toledo, Ohio, and Rosario, Argentina,”Criminology, 11(2):183–205, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dertke, Max C.; Penner, Louis A.; and Virich, Kathleen 1974, “Observers Reporting of Shoplifting as a Function of Thief’s Race and Sex,”Journal of Social Psychology, 94:213–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 1982, “Did You Know...That Shoplifting Costs American Businessmen More Than $2 Billion in 1980,”Enforcement Journal, 21 (1): 12–13.

  • Gelfand, D.; Walder, P.; Hartman, D.; and Page, B. 1973, “Who Reports Shoplifters?” A field experimental study,Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 25:276–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbens, T. C. 1981, “Shoplifting,”British Journal of Psychiatry, 138:346–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grubb, F.L. and Gregg Hupp 1968, “Perception of Self, Generalized Stereotypes and Brand Selection,”Journal of Marketing Research, 5 (February), 58–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haire, Mason 1950, “Projective Techniques in Marketing Research,”Journal of Marketing, 14 (April), 649–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartman, D.P.; Gelfand, D.M.; Page, B; and Walder, P. 1972, “Rates of Bystander Observation and Reporting of Contrived Shoplifting Incidents,”Criminology, 10(3):247–267.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hindeland, M.J. 1974, “Decisions of Shoplifting Victims to Invoke the Criminal Justice Process,”Social Problems, 21 (4)580–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • I.R.S. Statistics of Income, 1980, United States Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

  • Kallis, M. Jeffery 1978, “The Economics of Criminal Deterrence,” Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.

  • Krant, R.E. 1976, “Deterrent and Definitional Influence on Shoplifting,”Social Problems, 23 (3):358–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landon, E. Laird 1974, “The Differential Role of Self Concept and Ideal Self Concept in Consumer Purchase Behavior,”Journal of Consumer Research, 1 (September), 44–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lenga, M.R. and Kleinki, C.L. 1974, “Modeling Anonymity and Performance of an Undesirable Act,”Psychological Reports, 34(2):501–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, J. Barry and Mayer, Morris 1970, “The Problem of the Self-Concept in Store Image Studies,”Journal of Marketing, 34 (April), 67–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto, I. and Doi, T. 1971, “A Psychological Study of Teenage Shoplifting (Japan),”Reports of the National Institute of Police Science, 12(2):152–158, (Dec.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nardi, P. M. 1976, “Sound Psychological Dimensions of Moral Development and the Prediction of Deviant Behavior Among College Students,”Dissertation Abstracts International, 36:4231 (February).

    Google Scholar 

  • Russel, D. H. 1973, “Emotional Aspects of Shoplifting,”Psychiatric Annual, 3(5):77–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaffer, D.R.; Rogel, M.; and Hendrick, C. 1975, “Intervention in the Library: The Effect of Increased Responsibility on Bystanders’ Willingness to Prevent a Theft,”Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 5:303–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • “Shoplifters: Survey Finds the Store Patrons Ignore It,” 1983,Security Systems Digest, 13(4):10.

  • Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1980, (United States Printing Office, Washington, D.C.).

  • Steffensmeier, D.J. and Terr, R. M. 1973, “Deviance and Respectability: An Observational Study of Reactions to Shoplifting,”Social Forces, 51(4):417–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, J.E. and Gannon, D.A. 1977, “Effects of Perpetrator Status and Bystander Commitment on Responses to a Simulated Crime,”Journal of Police Science and Administrators, 5(3):318–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thall, M.M. 1973, “Behavioral Components of Adolescent Shoplifting,”Dissertation Abstracts International 34(4-B):1616.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanier, Dinoo J. and Sciglimpaglia, Donald 1981, “Development and Application of the Concept of User Image: The Case of Mass Transit Ridership,”Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 9(4):479–489 (Fall).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasudivan R. 1975, “Attitudes Against Stealing From Organizations: The Effects of Organizational Size and Theft Size,”Indian Journal of Applied Psychology, 12(2):39–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westford, K.L.; Diener, E.; and Diener, C. 1973, “Deindividuating Effects of Group Presence and Arousal on Stealing by Halloween Trick-or-Treats,”Proceedings of the 81 st Annual Conventions of the APA Association, Montreal, Canada, 8:219–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkes, Robert, E., “Fraudulent Behavior by Consumers,”Journal of Marketing, 67–75 (October).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kallis, M.J., Krentler, K.A. & Vanier, D.J. The value of user image in quelling aberrant consumer behavior. JAMS 14, 29–35 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02722110

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02722110

Keywords

Navigation