Crime and the Media What do Americans believe about Crime and the Justice System? Where and how do they develop these beliefs? What are the consequences of these beliefs?

Criminology vs. Other Science How many “crime related” T.V. shows can you name off the top of your head? Crime and the CJS on T.V. news or newspapers? Crime and the CJS in movies? How does this compare to biology, psychology, or physics?

Who Cares? People get information about most things from television and newspapers BUT—with regard to crime, the question becomes, “How accurately does the media reflect crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system?”

Sources of Media Bias—or “Reasons for Skepticism” Newspapers and T.V. news –Crime in general captures audiences –Violent crime, especially stranger violence “If it bleeds it leads” Politicians –“Get tough” on crime = political payoff Entertainment –Need for “excitement” belies accurate portrayal of criminals and criminal justice system

Types of Distortion Creation of “crime waves” Attention to violent crime –What about “white collar crime?” Creating/Spreading Crime Myths –Halloween psychopaths –The Serial Killer Epidemic –Satanic Daycare

Operation of the Criminal Justice System What is the nature of police work? How effective are police? What is “profiling” and how many cases are solved using this technique? What typically happens after arrest? What are prisons like? How often are criminals “let go” because of “loopholes” in the system?

Media and Crime: Summary Tendency to distort reality: –Political rhetoric –If it bleeds it leads (other types of crime?) –Overemphasis on crime (crime waves) –An “effective” criminal justice system Why is any of this important –Dorthy and W.I. Thomas (1928), if people believe it, it is “real in its consequences.”

Fear of Crime Why is “fear of crime” important? How fearful are Americans? Are some Americans more fearful than others? –Structural Factors (size of town/city) –Individual Factors (age, race, gender)

Seriousness of Criminal Events Why important? General trend here is agreement across groups –But, some differences exist –What about “White Collar Crime?”

Attitudes Towards Punishment When polling questions are broad/general, it appears that Americans are punitive and punishment oriented: –Do you support the death penalty for convicted murderers? (75% yes) –In general, do you think the courts in this country deal too harshly or not harshly enough with criminals? (80% not harsh enough). –Consistency across race, class, other factors

BUT… Adding complexity to the questions does affect answers –If given the option of “life without parole,” support for the death penalty substantially decreases –Applegate, Cullen, Turner and Sundt (1996) 3 Strikes legislation 90% of Ohio residents supported 3 Strikes in general Only 17% choose life in prison when given specific cases