General deterrence differs from specific deterrence in that general deterrence is aimed at deterring the public from committing crimes.

• A. It Targets The Individual Offender
• B. It Aims To Discourage The Public From Committing Crimes
• C. It Focuses On Reducing The Severity Of Punishment
• D. It Emphasizes Rehabilitation Over Punishment

Answer: (B)

General deterrence relies on the idea that punishing offenders serves as a warning to others in society. By making punishment visible and certain, potential offenders weigh the risk of punishment before acting. That is why this approach is aimed at deterring the public from committing crimes.

The option that describes targeting the individual offender reflects specific deterrence, which aims to stop that person from reoffending. The idea of reducing the severity of punishment isn’t about deterring others; it’s about leniency or reform. And prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment focuses on reforming the offender rather than broadly discouraging crime.