Preview

Common Public Misperceptions about Crime

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1936 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Common Public Misperceptions about Crime
Common Public Misperceptions about Crime
By: Joseph Colombo

References Source retrieved on December 6, 2008 from http://www.ncpa.org/pub/st/st176/s176h.html Source retrieved on December 4, 2008 from (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgibin/fulltext/119422514/PDFSTART) Source retrieved on December 5, 2008 from. (Adweek.com) Source retrieved on December 6, 2008 from http://realcostofprisons.org/blog/archives/2005/08/incarceration_a.html

There are many common misperceptions about crime that lead to ineffective laws and policies getting passed by the government. For example the news, may have you believe that there are a lot of murders that occur on a daily basis; however murder is statistically the crime that is least likely to occur. Certain shows such as CSI Miami, COPS and NYPD Blue can also give the public a false view of crime. For example CSI gives us the misperception of what a CSI agent’s job entails. If you watch CSI, then you might think that a CSI agent’s job is full of excitement and chasing down criminals in the street. This could not be further from the truth in reality all a CSI agent really does is test the evidence that the detectives find at the crime scene. On the other hand news coverage is not connected to the actual crime and it focuses on violent crimes, rape, terrorist, and stereotypes. Even when the crime rate decreases the news coverage has been known to increase. Violent crimes are obviously more interesting then burglaries so the news reports on them; however the problem with this is that people watch the news in order to get a realistic view of what is going on in America and the world. The media and the news make it seem as if the crime rate is very high and this gives the public a poor perception of America’s criminal justice system. Other myths include that anti drug campaigns reduce teen drug use. Also that


References: Source retrieved on December 6, 2008 from http://www.ncpa.org/pub/st/st176/s176h.html Source retrieved on December 4, 2008 from (http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgibin/fulltext/119422514/PDFSTART) Source retrieved on December 5, 2008 from. (Adweek.com) Source retrieved on December 6, 2008 from http://realcostofprisons.org/blog/archives/2005/08/incarceration_a.html
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Bus 1203B-03: Law Enforcement Operations And Report Writing
    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Bus 1203B-03: Law Enforcement Operations And Report Writing

    There are many different ways that the media can affect the way crime is looked at. Many of the media companies will talk about increases in crime, but will only target the few specific crimes that have slightly increased but will not touch base on all the crime statistics that show decreases in other areas. The media has a very smooth way of focusing on violent crimes above all others. Homicides and violent crimes receive a much higher amount of attention than any other crimes. If there was a bunch of minor traffic violations and a few tickets given out for minor things and one assault charge the only thing that would be brought up in the media is the assault charge.…

    • 664 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Rethinking Rehabilitation David Farabee Summary
    • 1870 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Rethinking Rehabilitation David Farabee Summary

    David Farabee starts off by looking at crime rates and the public’s perception of crime from the media. The media focuses on high profile cases for severe acts of crime which is not that common compared to other criminal acts. He states that the society’s reaction from the media produces an affect that the crime rate is increasing at an alarming rate. The public’s perception and voice has major influence on what happens with the criminal justice system. Society wants the policy makers to aim for rehabilitative and counselling efforts rather than locking up the criminals. They would rather see them be back on track and reintegrated into society to have a better life. What the…

    • 1870 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Felson's 10 Fallacies Of Crime
    • 1078 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Felson's 10 Fallacies Of Crime

    Media focus primarily on violent crimes, even though such crimes forms only smart part of all criminal activity…

    • 1078 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Scientific Article
    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Scientific Article

    Download this document and type your answers after each question. For each question provide a brief but complete answer to the question (you should write in complete sentences and proofread your work for spelling and grammatical errors). Note that the answer may be found in more than one place. Remember that you should write in your own words. Do not copy and paste from the original article!!!…

    • 592 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Theories of Crime
    • 1359 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Theories of Crime

    Crime theories can vary greatly. A lot of people think that poverty or social status is a major factor on criminal behavior. Others believe that is embedded in human beings to be born with evil therefore we are attracted to crime. Bottom line is deterrence cannot be achieved unless the underlining cause for criminal behavior is found.…

    • 1359 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    CSI Effect: The Role Of Violent Crime In The Media
    • 1425 Words
    • 6 Pages

    CSI Effect: The Role Of Violent Crime In The Media

    Violent crime in America has always been a problem, but as a result of the media citizens think it is a bigger issue than it actually is. The media would rather focus on violent crime, specifically murder, rather than the more common crimes such as: burglary assault, etc. This helped create what is known as the ‘CSI Effect,’ which is the idea that viewers think crime is exactly like crimes portrayed on television. As a Criminal Justice major I am able to see how the ‘CSI Effect’ affects members of society.…

    • 1425 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Critical Analysis of Women Behind Bars
    • 4461 Words
    • 18 Pages

    Critical Analysis of Women Behind Bars

    Austin, J., Irwin, J. (2001). “It 's About Time: America 's Imprisonment Binge.” Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co…

    • 4461 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sociological and Psychological Theories of Crime Causation
    • 1985 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Sociological and Psychological Theories of Crime Causation

    The aim of this essay is to compare, contrast and evaluate two sociological theories of crime causation and two psychological theories of crime causation.…

    • 1985 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Measuring Crime Research Paper
    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Measuring Crime Research Paper

    There are many variables that occur to determine the changes in crime rates such as new laws or procedural changes. One must be a critical thinker in order to determine accurate criminal statistics. Arrest rates, clearance rates, and recidivism rates are all considered when figuring out the rates of crime, so one must be specific when figuring out what to look for. For instance with arrest rates, crime statistics takes into consideration how many arrests are made, but not necessarily include whether or not the alleged offender was booked. Clearance rates also need to be considered due to the amount of crimes that are cleared or solved. Another statistic to consider is recidivism rates. Recidivism rates need to be considered when figuring out accurate crime rates as well, due to the amount of offenders that may be incarcerated multiple times. With all of these factors, you can see how crime rates can definitely be deceiving. Another way crime rates can be deceiving are when crimes are made but are not reported. These crimes, along with crimes that were committed and reported but arrests were not made, are all deceiving to the actual facts of determining crime…

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Loss of Identity in When the Emperor was Divine
    • 2721 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Loss of Identity in When the Emperor was Divine

    “As we got off the bus, we found ourselves in a large area amidst a sea of friendly Japanese faces, “, stated by a once twelve-year old Nisei Florence Miho Nakamura in her account of her internment camp experience (Tong, 3). This initial experience was common among many Japanese, as they were uprooted from their homes and relocated to government land. Although, they had been asked to leave their homes and American way of life, many had no idea of what was to greet them on the other side. As a result of the unknown, many Japanese had no time to prepare themselves for the harshness and scrutiny they faced in the internment camps. Interment camps not only took a toll on the Japanese physically, but also emotionally; thus, resulting in a shift in their overall lives. The novel When the Emperor was Divine explores the loss of self, physical, and cultural/social identity among the Japanese during World War II.…

    • 2721 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Most Americans Believe Crime Is Increasing
    • 1417 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Why Most Americans Believe Crime Is Increasing

    Gun violence, assaults, and robbery were high in the United States in the early 90s, but the crime rates henceforth have been decreasing. Evidently, few crimes are being reported throughout the United States in the early 2000s, but Americans are still privy of increasing crime rates. Economic and political conditions are also changing the face of violence and crime, with some stating that state economics and policies are reducing crime. Conversely, other Americans opine that such state policies and conditions are becoming catalysts for crimes, yet the numbers do not add up evidently. In all, the majority of American hold the opinion that crime is indeed increasing especially since 2002. The following illustrative essay examines the reasons why Americans perceive crime to be on the increase, yet they are unaware of the statistical drop in crimes on an overall. The illustration here will examine three major concerns to increasing crime, first looking at State of the U.S in determining criminal activities. Secondly, the article will explain the role of the media taking into consideration national event and issues that seem to define crime. Finally, an illustration of gun rights is provided, with a conclusion that epitomizes not only founded perceptions but a reality on the ground that is ignored.…

    • 1417 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Psychological Explanation Of Crime
    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Psychological Explanation Of Crime

    Psychological Explanation is based on someone's mental behavior. A person's personality and learning factors can cause them to commit a crime. According to some early childhood experiences it can have a major effect on personality and development. Also according to Psychological Explanation crime is stemmed from abnormal urges and desires.…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Race and Crime in America
    • 2625 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Race and Crime in America

    The public receives much of their impressions and knowledge of the criminal justice system through the mass media. Top-rated television programs, such as Cable News Network (CNN) are delivering news on crime on an everyday basis. What people actually know, or think they know, about the criminal justice system can sometimes be interpreted as a form of ignorance of what is known to be mandatory knowledge in order to be law-abiding citizens in any society. As nonchalant some things may sound the public relies on the media to feed them the lasted and most accurate news, but this is not always true. In today’s American society, race and crime go hand in…

    • 2625 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Criminal Justice System Paper
    • 765 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Criminal Justice System Paper

    “Preliminary figures indicate that throughout the nation reported a decrease of 5.4 percent in the number of violent crimes in 2013” (Comey, 2013). These violent crimes are categories as murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault. To most people crime can be defined in many different ways. The government has developed the criminal justice system into 3 different structures that the government follows. Many wonder if the system really works. The government is designed to make the laws that are meant to protect and serve the people of the world.…

    • 765 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Race Crime and The Media
    • 848 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Race Crime and The Media

    Stereotypes influence public perception which influences of public policy. The public perception is based from the view of the media that becomes into social construction. The media has a lot to do with controlling of the crime and how it gets viewed as from the public eye. Overall the way it is in reality, the media is the…

    • 848 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics