AC1.3 Introduction Task - Crime Reporting and Public Perception

Flashcards covering Unit 3 LO1/AC1.1 concepts on crime reporting, public perception, the dark figure of crime, and media representation.

Unit 3: LO1 Goal

Understand how crime reporting affects the public perception of criminality.

Tony Martin (Public Perception)

An example of a case where some people believe the individual should not be treated as a criminal, attributed to perceived public injustice, failings in the justice system, police failure to assist in key areas, and a drive for justice leading individuals to take matters into their own hands.

Dark Figure of Crime

Unreported crime that leads to a lack of public awareness, causing public perception of crime to differ from actual crime rates.

Media Representation of Crime

The portrayal of crime in news and media, which disproportionately features violent crime and creates inaccurate impressions by causing the public to believe violent crime occurs more frequently than it actually does.

Public Awareness vs. Actual Crime Rates

The discrepancy where public understanding of crime levels is skewed because many crimes go unreported (the dark figure of crime) while specific crimes like violent crime receive high media visibility.