An exploratory investigation into shoplifter clusters as seen in a court diversion program.

Abstract

Shoplifting is among the most common crime committed in the United States and accounts for yearly business losses of millions, if not billions of dollars. Investigators have studied the problem from many different points of view, but little has been done in demographic research and shoplifters are generally treated by the courts as a homogeneous group. There have been a number of articles citing emotional and cultural aspects of shoplifting has also been observed that most shoplifting does not occur for financial reasons, as most shoplifters can pay for what they steal. This study used demographic variables taken from a form filled out by shoplifters in a diversion program. One hundred male and one hundred female first offender adult shoplifters who had committed a misdemeanor were investigated. The demographic variables for each shoplifter were subjected to a computer cluster analysis which resulted in four clusters of females and two clusters of males. Demographic characteristics generally found in individual shoplifters, such as impulsivity, depression, or chaotic family life, were also characteristic of the clusters. In addition, each cluster was uniquely different from the others. The finding of clusters within the general population of shoplifters opens the way for further investigation into factors influencing shoplifting and the development of more effective prevention and treatment programs.