Class Name, Instructor Name Date, Semester Criminal Justice 2011 Chapter 2 PUBLIC OPINION, THE NEWS MEDIA, AND THE CRIME PROBLEM

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Understand the relationship between public opinion and public policy and be able to list the criticisms of democratic theory. Be able to evaluate the accuracy of news media coverage of crime and criminal justice. Be familiar with the overdramatization of crime, crime waves, the over-reporting of violent crime, crime myths, and other problems in media coverage. Appreciate the effects of media coverage, including public ignorance, public fear and concern, and racial and ethnic stereotyping. CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Be familiar with the research findings concerning people's fear of crime, including structural factors and individual characteristics and the consequences of fear. Understand the variations in people's perceptions of the seriousness of crime. Be familiar with the controversy concerning the death penalty, prevailing views about the police, perceptions of criminal injustice, and views about crime and criminal justice spending. CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Understand the relationship between public opinion and public policy and be able to list the criticisms of democratic theory. Learning Objectives After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes 2.1

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Criminals Are Bad People Who Choose to Commit Crime I Am Tough on Crime. I Will Support Legislation That Will Protect You From Criminals Create and Vote for “Tough on Crime” Policies Mandatory Sentences Three Strikes Laws Zero Tolerance Truth in Sentencing Vote for Politician with Same View 2.1

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Be able to evaluate the accuracy of news media coverage of crime and criminal justice. Learning Objectives After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes 2.2

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved 2.2 Where do your perceptions about crime and the criminal justice system come from? Are they accurate?

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Be familiar with the overdramatization of crime, crime waves, the over- reporting of violent crime, crime myths, and other problems in media coverage. Learning Objectives After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes 2.3

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved 2.3 Overreporting of (Violent) Crime Crime Waves Overdramatization of Crime

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved 2.3 Crime Myths Crime is rampant Crime is overly violent Teenagers are heavily involved in violent crime Crime Victims are particularly virtuous Minorities are more heavily involved in crime and drugs

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved 2.3 Interviewees who Support the Reporter’s Point of View Neglecting Various Forms of White- Collar Crime Failing to Provide Social and/or Historical Context Biased Picture of Certain Aspects of Crime Value-laden Language Presenting Misleading Data

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Appreciate the effects of media coverage, including public ignorance, public fear and concern, and racial and ethnic stereotyping. Learning Objectives After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes 2.4

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved 2.4

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Be familiar with the research findings concerning people's fear of crime, including structural factors and individual characteristics and the consequences of fear. Learning Objectives After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes 2.5

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved 2.5

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved 2.5 Influences Public Policy Influences Public Policy Threats to Neighbor- hoods Weakens Social Ties Within a Community Paralyzes Society Affects Individuals’ Daily Lives Affects Individuals’ Daily Lives

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Understand the variations in people's perceptions of the seriousness of crime. Learning Objectives After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes 2.6

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Determine appropriate penalties Affect individuals’ views of punishment Reflect value placed on human life Seriousness of Crime 2.6

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Be familiar with the controversy concerning the death penalty, prevailing views about the police, perceptions of criminal injustice, and views about crime and criminal justice spending. Learning Objectives After this lecture, you should be able to complete the following Learning Outcomes 2.7

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved 2.7 Seriousness of Crime and Punitiveness Perceptions of Criminal Justice Perceptions of Criminal Justice Views About the Police Views About Crime and Criminal Justice Spending

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Understand the relationship between public opinion and public policy and be able to list the criticisms of democratic theory. Be able to evaluate the accuracy of news media coverage of crime and criminal justice. Be familiar with the overdramatization of crime, crime waves, the over-reporting of violent crime, crime myths, and other problems in media coverage. Appreciate the effects of media coverage, including public ignorance, public fear and concern, and racial and ethnic stereotyping. CHAPTER SUMMARY

© 2012 by Pearson Higher Education, Inc Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All Rights Reserved Be familiar with the research findings concerning people's fear of crime, including structural factors and individual characteristics and the consequences of fear. Understand the variations in people's perceptions of the seriousness of crime. Be familiar with the controversy concerning the death penalty, prevailing views about the police, perceptions of criminal injustice, and views about crime and criminal justice spending. CHAPTER SUMMARY