What type of deterrence aims to prevent the general population from committing crimes?

General deterrence refers to the strategy of discouraging criminal behavior in the broader population by instilling a fear of punishment. The idea is that when potential offenders see that there are consequences for criminal actions—such as imprisonment, fines, or other legal penalties—they will be less likely to engage in those behaviors. This form of deterrence serves not just to punish individuals who are caught committing crimes but also to send a message to the community that crime will not be tolerated.

By making an example of offenders, the justice system aims to create a societal consensus that deter potential criminals from taking actions that would lead to criminal charges. In this way, general deterrence impacts the behavior of society at large, rather than focusing solely on those individuals who have already committed crimes.

This concept contrasts with specific deterrence, which is aimed at preventing a specific individual from committing future crimes through punishment. Judicial and psychological deterrence are less commonly referenced terms and do not specifically encapsulate the idea of influencing the general public's behaviors through the fear of legal consequences.