NCJ Number
81726
Date Published
1981
Length
97 pages
Annotation
The research concerned the relationship between inflation and incidence of crime. Three research questions were examined.
Abstract
The questions focused on trends in inflation from 1960 through 1978 when four Consumer Price Indexes (CPI's) were compared, trends in seven specified crimes from 1960 through 1978, and correlations between the seven specified crimes and the four CPI's from 1960 through 1978. The study followed the second approach of Van Kan's five approaches for an empirical study of the relationship between economic conditions and crime. Data analysis included comparisons of calculated annual percentage changes both yearly and periodically, and the use of correlational statistical method. The level of confidence for the testing of significance was established at the .01 level. Results showed that trends in inflation were moving toward increases. Findings indicated an average yearly increase of 4.5 percent for all items, 5.1 percent for food, etc. The trends in the seven specific crimes were also moving toward increases, with an average yearly increase of 3.4 percent for murder, 6.8 percent for aggravated assault, 6 percent for burglary, 5.7 percent for larceny, and 5.9 percent for auto-theft from 1960 through 1978. Implications of these findings are discussed. About 65 references are provided. (Author summary modified)