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What are the four main sources of knowledge about crime according to Soothill et al. (2002)?
Direct Experience of Crime, Mediated Experience, Official Information, Research Knowledge.
What does 'dark figure of crime' refer to?
The crimes that are unreported or undetected, and thus, are not reflected in official crime statistics.
What are the strengths of personal experience as a source of crime knowledge?
It provides firsthand insight into how crime affects individuals and communities.
What are the weaknesses of personal experience as a source of crime knowledge?
It is subjective and may not represent the experiences of others; limited to types of crime encountered.
What type of experience includes media portrayals of crime?
Mediated Experience.
What is a limitation of media portrayals in understanding crime?
Media often relies on stereotypes and dramatization, leading to a distorted view of crime.
What is the strength of official crime statistics?
It provides systematic, large-scale insights that cover a wide range of crime types.
What is a significant limitation of official statistics?
They exclude unreported crimes, creating an incomplete picture of criminal activity.
What is criminological research aimed at studying?
The causes, patterns, and effects of crime using empirical data.
What is one strength of criminological research studies?
They offer focused and systematic analysis of specific types of crime or criminal behavior.
What challenge does criminological research often face?
It may focus narrowly on specific social factors, lacking a comprehensive view of all crime.
Why are personal experiences of crime considered partial sources of knowledge?
They are limited to individual encounters and may not represent broader crime trends.
What is the purpose of criminal victimization surveys?
To uncover the dark figure of crime by gathering data on unreported or unrecorded offenses.
What historical context is essential for understanding crime statistics?
The first national crime statistics were gathered in France in 1826.
What does the term 'attrition rate' refer to in the criminal justice process?
The reduction in the number of cases as they progress through the criminal justice system.
What is the significance of the problem of attrition?
It highlights critical gaps in the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
What challenges are presented in comparing crime rates across different societies?
Variations in legal systems, political contexts, and cultural perceptions complicate direct comparisons.
What does feminist advocacy focus on in relation to sexual assault cases?
Reducing high attrition rates and ensuring better support for survivors.
What are self-report studies used for in criminology?
To assess individual admissions of criminal behavior often not captured by official statistics.
What is one limitation of self-report studies?
Participants may alter their responses due to social desirability bias.
What type of crime is often invisible due to underreporting in victimization surveys?
Domestic violence.
What is the significance of the 'respondent problem' in criminal victimization surveys?
It impacts the accuracy and reliability of the data collected based on respondents' recollections.
What are some methods used to improve the accuracy of criminal victimization surveys?
Improving questioning techniques and ensuring anonymity to encourage honest responses.
What is the primary focus of quantitative methods in criminological research?
Numerical data and statistical analysis.
What underpins comparative criminology according to David Nelken?
Understanding how different countries approach crime and crime control due to globalization.
What is one implication of the justice gap?
The potential for injustice if legal outcomes depend on an individual's ability to access legal resources.
Why is understanding the problem of attrition important for criminologists?
It reveals important deficiencies within the criminal justice system and helps identify areas for reform.
What can victimization surveys reveal that official statistics may not?
The actual experiences of crime victims, including unreported or underreported incidents.
What is a challenge in utilizing self-report studies for understanding crime?
The validity of reported offenses may be questionable as individuals may misreport their actions.
Why is crime often seen as 'soaring' in media narratives?
Media emphasizes violent and sensational crimes, creating a perception of increased crime rates.
What defines the three stages of the crime statistics process?
Recognizing, Reporting, and Recording crimes.
What does 'telescoping' refer to in criminal victimization surveys?
The tendency to incorrectly recall crimes that occurred outside the survey period.
What role do health and safety records play in criminological research?
They provide information on workplace incidents that may not be reported as crimes.
What factor often contributes to the dark figure of crime?
Social stigma and reluctance to report certain types of crime.
What does the term 'invisible crimes' refer to?
Criminal behaviors that are difficult to measure due to their hidden nature.
Why is it important to consider different methods of reporting crime statistics?
Different reporting methods can significantly shape the interpretation of crime trends.
What is one criticism of official crime statistics?
They do not capture the full spectrum of criminal activity.
What are specialized police agencies responsible for?
Collecting data on crimes within their jurisdictions, although not included in national statistics.
How can cultural factors affect crime measurement?
Different cultural attitudes may lead to variances in what is defined or perceived as a crime.
In the context of crime statistics, what is the relevance of 'social inequality'?
Socioeconomic factors can influence crime rates and access to justice.
Why is the conceptualization of crime significant in victimization surveys?
It determines how crimes are understood and reported, impacting the survey results.
How does memory contribute to the challenges faced in victimization surveys?
Memory lapses may result in underreporting of experiences, particularly with non-violent crimes.
What is a primary concern regarding the effectiveness of police recording practices?
Discretion used by police can lead to inconsistencies in which crimes are officially recorded.
What essential information should criminologists offer regarding crime trends?
Comprehensive interpretations that consider limitations of data and the contexts in which they were collected.
How do criminologists typically investigate causal factors of crime?
Through systematic research methods, including quantitative and qualitative approaches.
What is considered a major strength of qualitative research methods in criminology?
They provide deeper insights into the meanings and experiences related to criminal behavior.
What does the phrase 'justice gap' encompass?
Discrepancies between crimes reported and successful convictions, as well as access to legal resources.
What is a primary aim of criminological research?
To analyze crime patterns and inform policy and prevention strategies.
