Higgins, Marcum, Freiburger and Ricketts (2012)
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Higgins, Marcum, Freiburger and Ricketts (2012) | |
Title: | Examining the Role of Peer Influence and Self-Control on Downloading Behavior |
Author(s): | Higgins, G. E., Marcum, C. D., Freiburger, T. L., Ricketts, M. L. |
Year: | 2012 |
Citation: | Higgins, G. E., Marcum, C. D., Freiburger, T. L. and Ricketts, M. L. 2012. Examining the Role of Peer Influence and Self-Control on Downloading Behavior. Deviant Behavior, 33, 412-423. |
Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
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About the Data | |
Data Description: | Collected during the spring 2010 semester via online survey at large US universities. A total of 287 students responded to the on-line survey, which equated to a 19.6% response rate. The majority of respondents were seniors (40.1%), closely followed by a large junior response rate (30.7%). The sample contained 50.5% males (n = 142). The average age of the students was 22.5. The sample is 80.5% white (n = 227), 10.6% African American (n = 30), and 9.9% other (n = 23). |
Data Type: | Primary data |
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Cross Country Study?: | No |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | No |
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Abstract
The purpose of the present study is two-fold. First, the present study is designed to provide additional information about the link between off-line and virtual peers and music piracy. Second, the present study provides information about how off-line and virtual peers interact with self-control to understand music piracy. The results of this study show that low self-control has a link with digital piracy. This means that individuals who cannot resist temptation and do not see the consequences of their action have an increased likelihood to perform digital piracy, which is consistent with a growing literature in this area (Higgins et al. 2006; Higgins and Makin 2004a, 2004b; Higgins and Wilson 2006).
Main Results of the Study
Results
- The results of this study show that low self-control has a link with digital piracy.
- The result that peer association has a link with digital piracy, so associating with off-line peers who download music illegally resulted in an increased likelihood in one engaging in the same behavior.
- Results suggest that the premise that self-control is the only reason why criminal behavior occurs is not completely correct.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
- Seem to suggest that policies to increase self-control (if any exist) would be useful in decreasing online piracy.
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 287 |
Level of aggregation: | University students |
Period of material under study: | 2010 |