Showing papers in "Criminology in 1974"
93 citations
88 citations
TL;DR: Family disputes managed by police officers trained in interpersonal conflict management yielded uniform observational data that suggest assaults do not usually precede arrival of police, disputes are not usually influenced by alcohol use, and assaults are less common when alcohol has been used.
Abstract: Systematic naturalistic observation often contradicts experimental laboratory findings and idiosyncratic personal perceptions. In this study, family disputes managed by police officers trained in interpersonal conflict management yielded uniform observational data on 1,388 cases. The view shared by police and by social scientists that family disputes are likely to involve assaultiveness and that such behavior is typically caused by alcohol use was not supported by these data. Instead, the findings suggest that: assaults do not usually precede arrival of police; disputes are not usually influenced by alcohol use; and, indeed, assaults are less common when alcohol has been used.
70 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a model to measure the impact of police expenditure on crime rates across cities, specifically allowing for the two-way relationship between police and crime, and estimated the model by two-stage least squares, using FBI crime data for 119 cities in 1960.
Abstract: This study develops a model to measure the impact of police expenditure on crime rates across cities. It specifically allows for the two-way relationship between police and crime. Other things being equal, cities with more police per capita should have lower crime rates, if police reduce crime. Simultaneously, the higher the crime rate, the greater the public demand for police. In its final formations, the model contains two identifiable equations with two endogenous variables, police expenditure per capita and the crime rate.
Following a discussion of the reliability of crime statistics, the model is estimated by two-stage least squares, using FBI crime data for 119 cities in 1960. These two-stage results are compared with ordinary least-square estimation results and are found to be clearly superior.
66 citations
TL;DR: In addition to its more obvious functions, police patrol also has the function of citizen reassurance-providing feelings of safety that a citizen experiences when he knows that a police officer or patrol car is nearby.
Abstract: In addition to its more obvious functions, police patrol also has the function of citizen reassurance-providing feelings of safety that a citizen experiences when he knows that a police officer or patrol car is nearby. Since this function is highly related to both visibility and awareness, it is svggested that in locations of both cognitive centrality and high density, fixed posts be established that would both serve the reassurance function and provide another communication link between the police and the public. Recent studies by Milgram. Sommer, Hall, and Lynch have all contributed to our understanding of what Milgram calls “the congnitive map of the city,” and this concept can be utilized in the pursuit of safety.
66 citations
TL;DR: In this article, informal contacts, contingent acceptance at successive organizational levels, and self-selection are identified and discussed as the factors most central to an understanding of successful access into three police organizations and their failures to gain access to two police organizations.
Abstract: “Access” is conceived of as involving passage through two gates: one manned by the top-level authority figures of the organization, and the other by the proposed subjects of one's study. Within this framework, informal contacts, contingent acceptance at successive organizational levels, and self-selection are identified and discussed as the factors most central to an understanding of our successful access into three police organizations and our failures to gain access to two police organizations.
40 citations
TL;DR: In an effort to assess the correlates of the variations in the rate of crime aggregated at a city level, data are analyzed using multiple correlation analysis that includes indicators of socioeconomic and social control characteristics of the cities as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In an effort to assess the correlates of the variations in the rate of crime aggregated at a city level, data are analyzed using multiple correlation analysis that includes indicators of socioeconomic and social control (police) characteristics of the cities The results indicate that the rate of police and money budgeted to police contributes little to the explained variation in rates of crime. In addition, these indicators of social control variations do not correlate with variations in clearance rates The data are interpreted in terms of their implications for public policy, evaluation of police, and deterrence theory.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a high school male population was analyzed and no significant differences in incidence of delinquency emerged between classes of delinquents on items tapping the peer or subcultural dimensions Cohen considers particularly characteristic of working-class delinquency.
Abstract: Albert Cohen's delinquency theory is vulnerable to demonstrations of similar qualities, as well as similar quantities, of delinquency between middle and working-class groups. In analyses of questionnaire data from a high school male population, no significant differences in incidence of delinquency emerge between classes. No significant differences obtain between classes of delinquents on items tapping the peer or subcultural dimensions Cohen considers particularly characteristic of working-class delinquency. Finally, delinquency is shown to be related to academic performance regardless of class.
36 citations
26 citations
TL;DR: As law enforcement agencies continue to increase their educational standards, it is incumbent upon colleges and universities to offer curricula that prepare policemen to meet the challenge of modern times Criminal justice programs should pave the way for innovation and change in the police establishment by producing well-educated men, with a strong liberal arts background, capable of understanding self, community and the role of the police in modem society as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: As law enforcement agencies continue to increase their educational standards, it is incumbent upon colleges and universities to offer curricula that prepare policemen to meet the challenge of modern times Criminal justice programs should pave the way for innovation and change in the police establishment by producing well-educated men, with a strong liberal arts background, capable of understanding self, community, and the role of the police in modem society.
21 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the results of an intensive investigation of the officially recognized and recorded delinquency involvement of Indian youth living on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, finding that a relatively high rate of official delinquency involved rather minor offenses and a high percentage of charges were for alcohol-related offenses.
Abstract: Little research has been conducted on delinquency among American Indian youth. The present study reports the results of an intensive investigation of the officially recognized and recorded delinquency involvement of Indian youth living on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Findings indicate: (1) a relatively high rate of official delinquency involvement; (2) that a high percentage of charges were for rather minor offenses; and (3) that a high percentage of charges were for alcohol-related offenses
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship between self-esteem and post-institutional adjustment and found a small but statistically significant positive correlation (R =.25) between pre-release selfesteem and parole adjustment.
Abstract: Abrtract
Self-esteem and parole adjustment is examined in this study. Earlier studies reported on the development of an instrument to measure self-esteem in a reliable manner. Changes in self-esteem as a result of incarceration and other experiences have been examined. However, no studies of the relationship between the self-esteem of prison inmates and their post-institutional adjustment have been reported. The findings of this study, based on measured self-esteem of 142 inmates just prior to release, suggest a small but statistically significant positive correlation (R = .25) between pre-release self-esteem and parole adjustment. Further areas of study are suggested.
TL;DR: Wilson as mentioned in this paper identified three policing styles by analyzing the approach of police in order-maintenance and law enforcement situations, and four policing styles can also be developed by considering policing methods in relation to their impact upon the general community.
Abstract: Police agencies have distinctive philosophies, or styles, of policing. James Q. Wilson identified three policing styles by analyzing the approach of police in order-maintenance and law enforcement situations Styles can also be developed by considering policing methods in relation to their impact upon the general community. The reactive-procrctive emphasis given to wrious combinations of positive and negative methods, or counselor and enforcer roles, is the basis for the four policing styles discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focused on the problem of general deterrence as a macro-sociological phenomenon and integrated existing literature into a set of testable hypotheses, including the classical school of criminology and the positions of Durkheim and Sumner.
Abstract: This paper is focused on the problem of general deterrence as a macro-sociological phenomenon. An attempt has been made to integrate existing literature into a set of testable hypotheses Three perspectives on general deterrence are examined, including the classical school of criminology and the positions of Durkheim and Sumner. The variables of certainty and seventy, type of threatened behavior, latent deterrent functions of legal threats, and normative structure are discussed. It is suggested that compliance rates may be used as an empirical index of general deterrence.
TL;DR: Inmates' unions have been opposed by state officials as discussed by the authors and a number of tactics have been employed to weaken them, and no constitutional or statutory provisions deal specifically with the right of prisoners to unionize, that right probably depends upon the union's ability to demonstrate that it does not threaten institutional security.
Abstract: Inmate militancy has evolved from rioting to nonviolent forms of protest and, more recently, to union organizing activities. Prisoners' unions have been opposed by state officials. and a number of tactics have been employed to weaken them Although no constitutional or statutory provisions deal specifically with the right of prisoners to unionize, that right probably depends upon the union's ability to demonstrate that it does not threaten institutional security and would not significantly alter the existing power structure. Prisoners' unions could represent a more participatory and open form of bargaining than currently exists in prisons
TL;DR: The role of the chief justice of the United States in federal judicial administration has been discussed in this article, where the authors present a review of the role of a chief justice in modernizing the federal judicial system.
Abstract: Since Chief Justice Taft's highly activist tenure, many people have looked to the Supreme Court for leadership in efforts to modernize federal judicial administration. This article reviews the role of the Chief Justice of the United States in federal judicial administration. as well as organizational and procedural improvements in court management at all three tiers of the federal court system, as seen by one trained in public administration Although improvement is apparent. other needed steps include less emphasis on the number of judgeships and more careful long-range planning and experimentation with new techniques
TL;DR: In this paper, a study was designed to test whether or not juvenile subjects who were on probation and were under a court order to pay fines would show an increased rate of work when positive contingencies of reinforcement were used in the form of contingency contracts.
Abstract: This study was designed to test whether or not juvenile subjects who were on probation and were under a court order to pay fines would show an increased rate of work when positive contingencies of reinforcement were used in the form of contingency contracts.
TL;DR: In this paper, the results of an inquiry into the patterns of reporting noncriminal incidents are presented and discussed: maintaining social boundaries: relieving unpleasant situations; counter-reporting; and correcting hazardous situations.
Abstract: Reasons for citizen reporting to the police have not been systematically studied. This paper presents the results of an inquiry into the patterns of reporting noncriminal incidents. These events far outnumber crimes reported to the police in most jurisdictions and present unique opportunities for research. Four reporting patterns are presented and discussed: maintaining social boundaries: relieving unpleasant situations; counter-reporting; and correcting hazardous situations. The consequences of these patterns for policing and criminology are outlined in terms of citizens defining the most probable outcomes of situations.
TL;DR: The interaction of parole board members and project staff in the development of an experience table acceptablc to the parole board for operational use is described and a research design to test the impact of the presentation of the experience table upon paroling decisions is described.
Abstract: One objective of the Parole Decision-Making project was the develop ment of experience tables for operational use by the U.S. Board of Parole to aid in individual case deckion-making. This report describes the interaction of parole board members and project staff in the development of an experience table acceptablc to the parole board for operational use. In addition, it describes the development of a research design to test the impact of the presentation of the experience table upon paroling decisions, the implementation of this design, and the initiol evaluation of results.
TL;DR: In this article, a preliminary study attempts to prepare the foundations for obtaining a valid predictive measure for the chance of "success" for a prisoner leaving the Florida penal system, using a random sample of 200 Florida prison system releases from several vantage points.
Abstract: This preliminary study attempts to prepare the foundations for obtaining a valid predictive measure for the chance of “success” for a prisoner leaving the Florida penal system. A random sample of 200 Florida prison system releases is analyzed from several vantage points Parolee versus expvee popubtion differences are studied and a variant of the California Base Expectancy Scale is constructed for Florida. To overcome the weakness of utilizing the same predictive model for a broad spectrum of prisoners, an attempt is made to describe homo geneous subpopulations. Through the use of cluster analysis, one such subpopulation is identified and predictive ability for this group is shown to be greatly increamd.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on specific methods that were used in a longitudinal study in which 94% of the subjects cooperated at the time or at recontact after a two-year interval.
Abstract: This paper reports on specific methods that were used in a longitudinal study in which 94% of the subjects cooperated at the time or at recontact after a two-year interval. The probable factors responsible for this success are described, including details regarding the preparation prior to the study, approaching the subject, establishing rapport at initial contact, and the maintenance of rapport throughout the study. It is hoped this description will encourage others to provide similar reports on their methods and be helpful to those pursuing comparable research.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a bench mark as to the percentage of incarcerated offenders who might have been better served on probation, based on the number of released offenders who should have been returned to the community.
Abstract: The need for more efficient use of probation services is widely accepted. Indeed, many offenders are being incarcerated who might have been better served on probation. However, the percentage of incarcerated offenders who perhaps should have been retained in the community has been open to question The purpose of this study was to provide a bench mark as to the percentage of incarcerated offenders who might be better served on probation.
TL;DR: There is a general absence of criminological research within the federal government as mentioned in this paper, and three reasons are advanced to this neglect: (1) criminology is generally considered to be a developing and untried discipline; (2) the legal profession is viewed as encompassing the study of criminal behavior; and (3) the scientific investigation of deviant behavior is perceived as threatening to basic values of society.
Abstract: There is a general absence of criminological research within the federal government. Three reasons are advanced to this neglect: (1) criminol ogy is generally considered to be a developing and untried discipline; (2) the legal profession is viewed as encompassing the study of criminal behavior; and (3) the scientific investigation of deviant behavior is perceived as threatening to basic values of society. Following considera tion of impediments to the development of criminology, future prospects and directions for our discipline are discussed.
TL;DR: The Professional Thief as mentioned in this paper is one of the best-known works in criminal behavior systems, and it ranks among criminology's "classics." Although some uncertainty surrounds the authorship of the book's first eight chapters, sposedly written by thief Chic Conwell, the "Introduc tion,” the last two chapters, and all the annotated footnotes are clearly the work of Edwin H. Sutherland.
Abstract: By virtue of its influence on differential association theory, on the study of criminal behavior systems, and its sheer longevity, The Professional Thief ranks among criminology's “classics” Although some uncertainty surrounds the authorship of the book's first eight chapters, sposedly written by thief Chic Conwell, the “Introduc tion,” the last two chapters, and all the annotated footnotes are clearly the work of Edwin H. Sutherland. Purportedly, the extensive annotations supplement and validate Conwell's description of professional theft. Content analysis shows them to be more reiterative than supplement at thus narrowing the book's representation of professional theft.