NCJ Number
80018
Journal
Sociology and Social Research Volume: 66 Issue: 1 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 12-28
Date Published
1981
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Many sociologists have pointed out that crime for economic gain results from contrasts in economic resources. This research is an attempt to bring data to bear on this hypothesis.
Abstract
Multiple regression techniques in a cross-sectional analysis of standard metropolitan statistical areas were employed to see whether economic inequality as measured by the Gini index would be positively related to the various theft rates. With other causes of theft controlled, the measure of economic inequality received the strongest coefficient when burglary and grand larceny rates were analyzed. Its relationship to robbery was not as strong although it also was in the predicted direction. (Author abstract)