It must also be kept in mind that the effects of punishment upon different people differ according to what they have to lose as a result. As an example, a university professor who was accused of a misdemeanor (contributing to the delinquency of a minor) was dismissed from his position, lost status in his professional community, and was divorced by his wife. He was never convicted, and he never served a day for this minor offense, and yet the aversive consequences to this man were much greater than a five to ten year sentence would be to a felon who had already served three terms in a prison.