Homicide and Economic Change - Recent Analyses of the Joint Economic Committee Report of 1984

• NCJ Number: 101800
• Journal: Journal of Quantiative Criminology Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1986) Pages: 81-103
• Author(s): M H Brenner; R T Swank
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In response to an attempted replication and critique by Cook and Zarkin (1986), Brenner discusses the methodology and findings of his 1976 and 1984 studies of the relationship between homicide and economic conditions.

Abstract

The relationship between homicide and recession in the United States is classic. Recent analyses have confirmed the 1976 and 1984 findings and demonstrate that the influence of recession on homicide is greater than previously thought. Differences between the 1976 and 1984 findings are related to differences in the hypotheses tested, as discussed and highlighted in the 1984 Report to the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. Further, the 1984 homicide equation is straightforward, provided the same data and any of several standard estimation techniques are used. Evidence does not support the claims of the Cook and Zarkin critique -their arguments are flawed by errors of fact and interpretation and inappropriate use of standard analytic methods. The 1984 study used appropriate techniques to ensure that influences attributed to economic changes were not actually due to other social factors and to minimize underspecification of models. 10 tables, 2 figures, and 22 references. (Author abstract modified)