NCJ Number
72427
Date Published
1979
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Methodological observations made in the course of the first year of research by the Institute of Criminology in Paris on social control of deviance are reported.
Abstract
The research has the long-term objective of determining variations in the reactions of individuals of the same social category according to their feelings of security or insecurity and their residential area. To achieve this objective, a series of 20 hypothetical situations have been developed to test individuals' attitudes. Specifics tested by the questionnaire, which is presented in toto, are willingness to render assistance to others and attitudes toward the following: religious sects, tramps, threats to women alone on the street, aggressiveness, disturbing the peace at night, vandalism, abused children, speeding, juvenile prostitution, legal self-defense, and holdups in stores. Earlier research findings of the Institute have served as background in designing the present research approach. Two towns have been selected for study on the basis of their index of security and their crime rates. The sample is supposed to be half male and half female, and half workers and half employees; all age groups from 18 to over 65 are to be represented. The eventual sample size is 200, although only 100 subjects have been tested to date. So far, certain differences have emerged between the area with low crime rates and high well-being and that characterized by high crime and low security. Compared to the town where crime rates are low and well-being high, the townspeople of the high-crime area are more likely to be unfriendly toward sects, tolerant of tramps, do nothing about abductions, intervene in car thefts, and inform parents of childrens' dangerous behavior. They are also more likely to tell noisy neighbors to quiet down without involving police, to call in police in cases of vandalism, and to contact parents about prostitution of their minor children. However, none of these differences are of major significance. Precise definition of the differences requires a larger sample and factorial analysis. As the method for measuring differences has generally proved successful, the research project has been continued for another year. Tables are supplied.