Knowledge of Deviance and Crime III

Random Selection

Representative

Diverse Approaches

There are several methods including experiments, survey research (cross-sectional and longitudinal,victimization surveys, self-report studies etc), personal interviews, observation and participant observation, case studies and content analysis.

The experiment is a mode of scientific observation which involves:

1. Taking action.

2. Observing the consequences of that action.

Calhoun

In 1962, Calhoun conducted a fascinating experiment on the relationship between population density and deviant behaviour.

He observed the behaviour of 80 rats placed into acage containing four connected cells.

Calhoun observed that two males guarded the outer cells and maintain harems. The two central cells, largely containing males, were the locus of all kinds of deviant behaviour. There he found:

1. Excessive Aggression -cannabalism, infanticide, assault and sexual assault.

2. Excessive Passivity -asexuality, apathy, careless mothering, "zombie-like"behaviour.

Population density generates deviance (cities clearly create crime and deviance).

Problems?

- It is questionable whether rat behaviour can be so easily imputed to humans.

- Humans choose to live in cities (rats did not chooseto live in these cages).

- High density is a relative concept (i.e. Tokyo vs.Calgary).

- Sex ratio. It is well known that crime is largely amale behaviour.

CUCRs

- CUCR (Canadian Uniform Crime Reports).

-> "Dark figures".

- About 2.5 million crimes reported to police per year (about 12% are violent crimes).

- Some criminologists will rely upon CUCR's in theiranalyses. But, the "the crime funnel" creates significant problems.

The Crime Funnel

All crime (detected/undetected)

Detected crime (reported/unreported)

Reported crime(founded/unfounded)

Founded crime

Crime taken to court (convicted/acquitted)

Convicted

Incarcerated

Surveys

A survey involves asking a sample of a population aset of questions

Cross-sectional

If a survey was delivered to asample of all Canadians

Longitudinal study

If a researcher performed the same study over aperiod of time and included several surveys forcomparison purposes

Victimization Surveys

It is well known that official crime statistics do not reflect the reality of crime in Canada.

People do not report crime for many reasons including whether the victim feels that the crime was serious,whether the police will take it seriously, and how significant was the criminal event to them.

In an attempt to validly measure crime, criminologists use victimization surveys. Simply ask people if they had been victimized, and how they were victimized.

Victimization Surveys II

- Not perfect.

- People might not remember all crimes. Some people may be reluctant to admit victimization(child abuse).

- "Victimless" crimes cannot be reported.

Self-Report Data(NLSCY, NPHS)

Simply ask people whether they have engaged in crime and deviance.

People are surprisingly honest about many kinds of deviance. Include scales and items to detect deception(university student evaluation recodes).

Personal Interviews

Interview people directly.

Structured.

Semi-structured.

Interviewer effect.

Observation/Participant Observation Studies

When behaviour is readily apparent (i.e.improper turns, mall behaviour).

Other Methods

Sometimes researcher will examine all relevant evidence in order to conduct a case study. In order to understand "the Bertuzzi Incident", a researcher might want to examine player statistics, history of punishment etc.

Content analysis involves the systematic analysis of documents including audio and video recordings. In order to better understand anorexia, a researcher might want to consider the content of beauty magazines.