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Amber L. Morczek

Bio: Amber L. Morczek is an academic researcher from Washington State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pornography & Criminal justice. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 4 publications receiving 51 citations.

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: For example, this article tracked the search query "best rape scenes" on the Google search engine and found that nearly one hundred thousand websites were searched for the best rape scenes over a ten-year period.
Abstract: Introduction.28 seconds, the total time the Google search engine takes to deliver nearly onehundred thousand websites for the search query "best rape scenes". The intent of this statement is not to reflect in availability of material or suggest the search reflects those looking for, in fact, the best rape scenes. Rather being able to identify these search queries and track the trends and popularity of user queries is methodologically worthy of inquiry. Researchers agree the Internet is an influential source of acquisition and replication of norms, behavior, and attitudes (Jaishankar, 2008; Yar, 2006). The evolving nature of these networks have fundamentally influenced production of knowledge, distribution of tasks, and activities society engages, shaping the perspectives of generations of individuals (Castells, 1996). While research continues to study the relative strength of the Internet within acquisition and reinforcement, it has remained a consistent source of interest within human development (Greenfield & Yan, 2006). Having access to track interesting search queries overtime or following specific events presents as an important source of data, one that may undoubtedly provide new insight into human behavior.Currently there are ~275 million Internet users in North America and ~2.4 billion Internet users globally (Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2013), making the study of this tool incredibly relevant to social scientists. Introducing new methods has the capacity to benefit and reinvigorate discussion on sexual violence and foster the emergence of new perspectives. The increasing use of the Internet and resulting immersion into the daily lives of users would prove an important data source, specifically if the data allowed a longitudinal analysis, which controlled for population changes. For example, if Internet queries for "how to be a better parent" gradually increased 50-percent over a ten-year period, or "racist jokes" decreased 35-percent, a nation and its people would offer signs of change.In the past, access to violent, heterosexual pornography was largely limited to pornographic magazines or dark curtained rooms in video stores. Growth in the Internet and diverse nature of Internet users has fostered spread of not merely pornography, but the growth of niche pornography. As pornography becomes more socially acceptable, accessible, and marketed to wider audiences, its role in perpetuating misogynistic behaviors and attitudes thereby increases (Jensen, 2011; Picker & Sun, 2008). Scholars have suggested that pornography has a prominent feature within acquisition of behaviors and attitudes that correlate increasingly with acceptance, reproduction, and transference of what scholars have voiced as 'rape culture' (Miller & Biele, 1993).Conceptualized and widely studied across disciplines since the late 1980s, 'rape culture' research concerns itself with operationalizing, evaluating, and mediating acquisition of the associated attitudes, behaviors, and norms correlated with violence against women (Herman, 1989). Researchers suggested that violence against women is multifaceted; reflecting the interplay between personal, situational, and socio-cultural factors (Heise, 1998, p. 263). The research took multiple paths, but as Heise (1998) offers, it was important that scholars understand the primacy of culturally constructed messages promoting and promulgating violence against women in a society. Therefore, it was important to understand further the acquisition, modes of transmission, and reinforcement of these intricate markers (attitudes, behaviors, and norms) for rape culture.The resulting research produced important insight into rape culture and sexual violence. Researchers have explained the characteristics reflected at a micro and macro level for prolongation of misogyny and manifestation of rape culture in society. However, accurately measuring individual characteristics within the current studies is limited to survey instruments and focus groups, or at a macro level, official crime statistics, surveys of victims, or content analysis of popular media. …

27 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using Google search data, regional analysis of associated interest in rape-oriented pornography and pornographic hubs is provided, including the use of “BDSM” or “bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadomasochism” as a foundational query for use in trend analysis.
Abstract: Academics and activists called to attention decades prior the importance of identifying, analyzing, and tracking the transmission of attitudes, behaviors, and norms correlated with violence against women. A specific call to attention reflected the media as a mode of transmission. This research builds on prior studies of media, with an emphasis on Internet search queries. Using Google search data, for the period 2004 to 2012, this research provides regional analysis of associated interest in rape-oriented pornography and pornographic hubs. Results indicate minor regional variations in interest, including the use of “BDSM” or “bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadomasochism” as a foundational query for use in trend analysis. Interest in rape-oriented pornography by way of pornographic hubs is discussed in the context of microaggression.

15 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the interest and relationships at the macro level within the niche of youth-oriented pornography and found that interest varies based on gender, age, geographic origin, and income.
Abstract: The way we access pornography has certainly changed over time, as has the depth and breadth of pornographic content. Yet, despite decades of research on the effects of pornography, far less is known about specific genres, consumption patterns, and the characteristics of those consuming varying types of content. Utilizing Google search trends and image searches, this research explores the interest and relationships at the macro level within the niche of youth-oriented pornography. Results indicate that interest varies based on gender, age, geographic origin, and income. Future research and policy implications based upon the findings are discussed.

11 citations

Reference EntryDOI
01 Aug 2017
TL;DR: In the last several decades, the US criminal justice system has moved away from indeterminate sentences, under which offenders are condemned to an indefinite period of incarceration, offered "good time, and subsequently paroled, often long before the conclusion of their maximum sentence".
Abstract: Over the last several decades, the US criminal justice system has moved away from indeterminate sentences, under which offenders are condemned to an indefinite period of incarceration, offered “good time,” and subsequently paroled, often long before the conclusion of their maximum sentence. Beginning in the 1980s, federal and state legislatures began to adopt determinate sentences, whereby offenders are sentenced to a longer, more definite period of imprisonment. A relic of the “get tough” era of criminal justice policymaking, truth-in-sentencing laws specifically mandate that offenders serve a substantial portion of their sentence. This transition, along with the application of other types of determinate sentencing practice, marked a considerable change in punishment philosophy, sentence length, and prisoner release mechanisms. Keywords: corrections; sentencing violent crime

Cited by
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16 Sep 2016
TL;DR: JangDong Seo is a Statistical Consultant/Lecturer in the Department of Statistics at Indiana University and a member of the International Association of Statisticians.
Abstract: JangDong Seo is a Statistical Consultant/Lecturer in the Department of Statistics at Indiana University.

42 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
18 Oct 2018-PLOS ONE
TL;DR: The findings suggest that online media might correlate with the increasing incidence rate of mass shootings, and evaluated if state-level gun ownership rate, serious mental illness rate, poverty percentage, and gun law permissiveness could predict the state- level mass shooting rate using the Bayesian zero-inflated Poisson regression model.
Abstract: Little is known regarding the time trend of mass shootings and associated risk factors. In the current study, we intended to explore the time trend and relevant risk factors for mass shootings in the U.S. We attempted to identify factors associated with incidence rates of mass shootings at the population level. We evaluated if state-level gun ownership rate, serious mental illness rate, poverty percentage, and gun law permissiveness could predict the state-level mass shooting rate, using the Bayesian zero-inflated Poisson regression model. We also tested if the nationwide incidence rate of mass shootings increased over the past three decades using the non-homogenous Poisson regression model. We further examined if the frequency of online media coverage and online search interest levels correlated with the interval between two consecutive incidents. The results suggest an increasing trend of mass shooting incidences over time (p < 0.001). However, none of the state-level variables could predict the mass shooting rate. Interestingly, we have found inverse correlations between the interval between consecutive shootings and the frequency of on-line related reports as well as on-line search interests, respectively (p < 0.001). Therefore, our findings suggest that online media might correlate with the increasing incidence rate of mass shootings. Future research is warranted to continue monitoring if the incidence rates of mass shootings change with any population-level factors in order to inform us of possible prevention strategies.

39 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined the shifting momentum of right-wing extremists in Australia and provided an in-depth assessment of eight of the most active RWE groups in Australia, and identified the most influential groups.
Abstract: This research examines the shifting momentum of right-wing extremism (RWE) in Australia. The study provides an in-depth assessment of eight of the most active RWE groups in Australia, throu...

36 citations