An Empirical Test of The Space Transition Theory of Cyber Criminality: Investigating Cybercrime Causation Factors in Ghana

The Space Transition Theory (Jaishankar 2008) presupposes that people behave differently in the cyber world from the physical world amongst other postulates that seek to explain cyber criminal behavioural patterns. (Wall 2001) categorized cyber crime into the four main types of cyber trespass, cyber deception and theft, cyber pornography and cyber violence. This research sought test the postulates of the theory to determine if they form a viable and reliable basis for predicting or determining the occurrence of cyber crime. This was done by identifying the causal relationships between the first six postulates of the Space Transition Theory and the various categories of cyber crime. Primary data from Ghana was used together with secondary data from other parts of the world to test the theory. Findings from the research showed some limitations in the variety of cyber crimes perpetrated and experienced in Ghana. Our research also established that fact that the Space Transition theory’s postulates are not absolutely applicable to all categories of cyber crime. These outcomes serves as a significant reference point for both researchers, policy makers and anti cyber crime researchers. KeywordsCyber crime, Ghana, Africa, Behaviour, Security, Cyber Criminals.