Deterrence is a theory from behavioral psychology about preventing or controlling actions or behavior through fear of punishment or retribution. This theory of criminology is shaping the criminal justice system of the United States and various other countries.Deterrence can be divided into two separate categories.General deterrence manifests itself in policy whereby examples are made of deviants. The individual actor is not the focus of the attempt at behavioral change, but rather receives punishment in public view in order to deter other individuals from deviance in the future.For example, in the Islamic Crime & Punishment system (Hodood, i.e. plural of Hadd), applied 1400 years ago, the punishment for crimes was performed in public, and was aimed at general social deterrence.Specific deterrence focuses on the individual deviant and attempts to correct his or her behavior. Punishment is meant to discourage the individual from recidivating.At the military level, the principle is expressed in deterrence theory.There is some debate over whether deterrence is achieved throughand whether it is aimed at others or the offender themselves or both.