NCJ Number
55963
Date Published
1977
Length
76 pages
Annotation
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH DATING FROM 1945 TO 1975 CONCERNING PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD CRIME (KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW, SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENSES, AND FEAR OF CRIME) IS SURVEYED AND EVALUATED.
Abstract
EACH OF THESE THREE WERE EXAMINED. IN THE FIRST CASE, SURVEY RESULTS INDICATE THAT GENERAL LEGAL KNOWLEDGE AND SPECIFIC LEGAL KNOWLEDGE VARY WITH AGE, EDUCATION, AND GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION (RURAL VS. URBAN ENVIRONMENT). ON THE WHOLE, PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OF LEGAL CODES IS WEAK--IN PARTICULAR WITH REGARD TO SPECIFIC RULES. IN THE SECOND CASE, STUDIES REVEAL THAT CITIZENS ARE MOST CONCERNED WITH THE TRADITIONAL OFFENSES, ESPECIALLY IF THEY POSE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO SECURITY. WHILE ON THE WHOLE, THE PUBLIC IS GREATLY ALARMED BY CRIME AND FAVORS STRICT REPRESSIVE MEASURES, SEVERITY RATINGS VARY WITH SEX, SOCIAL CLASS, EDUCATION, GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND RELIGIOUS BELIEF. CONSENSUS WAS GREATEST CONCERNING OFFENSES WHICH CARRY HIGH LEGAL PUNISHMENT; THE INTERVIEWEES TENDED TO DISAGREE ON MINOR OFFENSES. IN THE THIRD CASE, STUDIES CONFIRM THE RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH ON THE SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENSES: THE POPULATION FEARS MOST OFFENSES WHICH ENDANGER THEIR PERSONAL SECURITY. THE AMOUNT OF FEAR VARIED WITH SEX, SOCIAL STATUS, AND AGE WITH FEAR GREATEST AMONG THE MOST LIKELY VICTIMS OF CRIME. A SURVEY OF VICTIMIZATION SHOWED NO DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN HAVING BEEN A CRIME VICTIM AND FEAR OF CRIME. THE ARTICLE CONTAINS NUMEROUS REFERENCES. --IN FRENCH. (SAJ)