public perceptions/social changes - criminology

criminology

norms

specific rules / socially accepted standards about how we are expected to behave in specific situations e.g. wearing black to a funeral

values

they tell us what is considered important in society. e.g. giving up a seat for someone elderly. different societies may have different values

mores

they are very basic, essential norms that society sees as vital for maintaining standards of decency & civilised behaviour (societies most important rules) e.g. murder

public perception of crime - smoking

• in the 1930s it was normal and fashionable to smoke

• smoking was glamorised and encouraged, even by doctors - film stars would smoke in films & doctors would be in advertisements

• mid 1950s, research was published confirming the link between smoking and lung cancer

• growing concerns about the dangers eventually led to the disappearance of doctors in adverts

• there are now many anti-smoking campaigns e.g. ASH (action on smoking and health)

• campaigns have led to new legislation - the health act 2006 banned smoking in enclosed public and work spaces; the children and families act 2014 prohibited smoking in vehicles with children

public perception of crime - drink driving

• 1925 - first law was passed making driving while drunk an offence (however there was no clear definition of drunk/ level of alcohol in the blood)

• for many years public attitudes to drunk driving were quite tolerant and it was not thought of a serious offence - perhaps because governments did not collect data on the number of deaths by drunk driving

• meanwhile, car ownerships were increasing from 15% of households in 1951 owning a car to 55% in 1971resulting in more deaths from 5000 in 1950 to 8000 by the 1960s

• from 1966 all new cars had to be fitted with seatbelts

• 1991 - new offences introduced reflecting the growing public intolerance

• campaigns also changed public perceptions - THINK!

• 1979 half of all male drivers admitted to drink driving at least once a week

• 2014 survey by governments THINK! campaign found that 91% of people thought drink driving was unacceptable

• now, only about 5% of road casualties include alcohol