NCJ Number
95675
Journal
Deviant Behavior Volume: 5 Issue: 1-4 Dated: (1984) Pages: 255-274
Date Published
1984
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Part of the findings of a study carried out in Kalgoorlie Western Australia, in 1976, on the perception of crime and criminals are reported.
Abstract
Clear and distinct social types of the violent criminal and swindler were found, which were reasonably close to, or at least not discordant with, criminological-sociological literature. A very negative assessment of the violent criminal was held by respondents, which contrasted with the more positive assessment of the swindler. Differences were also found in respondents' perceptions of the aetiology of violent crime and fraud. However, respondents were punitive toward the violent criminal. The analysis is presented within a framework of emphasizing social typing, the audience and social control. It is argued that the repertoire of social types held by individuals and groups, and the process of social typing, play a central part in the functioning of criminal justice systems and the social construction of social control. (Publisher abstract)