Quasi-Experimental Investigation of Self-Reported Offending and Perception of Criminal Opportunity in Undergraduate Students

• NCJ Number: 233427
• Journal: Security Journal Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2011 Pages: 37-51
• Author(s): Jeanette Garwood
• Date Published: February 2011
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study tests the hypothesis that young adults who self-report a variety of offenses are also more likely to see criminal potential within their everyday environment, than are those who report few, or no offending behaviors, tests the hypothesis that creativity in general is not related to offending level, and investigates any gender effects.

Abstract

This investigation has been designed to test the hypothesis that individuals who admit to a greater variety of offending also perceive more criminal and nuisance/deviant uses for everyday objects. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with level of self-reported offending as the quasi-experimental variable, and percentage of criminal/delinquent uses given, as the dependent variable; 107 students took part in the study. Results supported the hypothesis: those who self-report a high offending rate also generate more criminal uses for everyday objects. Results are discussed within an applications framework. (Published Abstract) Tables, figures, and references