Crime in America Notes
Jan 23
Lecture 1
The social construction of myths/why Americans fear the wrong things
By learning the techniques for identifying the mythology of crime
1. Why do we need to study social problems?? in an effort to find solutions- of we do not study then we cannot find solutions
2. Why do these exist in the first place??
Maybe because someone sees a benefit or someone has a vested interest.
People should earn a living wage however most people do not want to pay a $9 for a Big Mac. sometimes it is an economical
Sometimes in society we have to compromise
3. What is a Crime Myth?? generally speaking a Crime Myth is created from a non-scientific forum.
I.E. TV, FB generally includes sensationalism and evolve over time
Many times it is because the media wants to be the first to report
The Functions of Crime Myths
1. Catalog Social Actors even if the myth is inaccurate people adjust their behavior as if it were true
I.E. when there is a natural disaster then people stock up on groceries and gas
One function of crime myths is to put people in categories- victims, criminals, law abiding citizens, crime fighters
The problem is that these categories are not mutually exclusive- people may belong to multiple categories
The labeling has a consequence and can effect social relationships- then people look to define others who may fit the category
2. Reinforce Existing Social Arrangements
It will reinforce existing social relationships, it is a good was to maintain the status quo
Racial profiling is a good example- Most people do not believe it is a good idea or just believe it is not a good idea for them, one idea is terrorist
3. Reconcile Contradictions
Individuals who go to prison will reoffend.
The crime myth is a tool for other social institutions.
4. Create a Collective Belief System
Most people fall under the law abiding citizen category, however if we use a myth to create the belief system the it can be false.
If
Lecture 1
The social construction of myths/why Americans fear the wrong things
By learning the techniques for identifying the mythology of crime
1. Why do we need to study social problems?? in an effort to find solutions- of we do not study then we cannot find solutions
2. Why do these exist in the first place??
Maybe because someone sees a benefit or someone has a vested interest.
People should earn a living wage however most people do not want to pay a $9 for a Big Mac. sometimes it is an economical
Sometimes in society we have to compromise
3. What is a Crime Myth?? generally speaking a Crime Myth is created from a non-scientific forum.
I.E. TV, FB generally includes sensationalism and evolve over time
Many times it is because the media wants to be the first to report
The Functions of Crime Myths
1. Catalog Social Actors even if the myth is inaccurate people adjust their behavior as if it were true
I.E. when there is a natural disaster then people stock up on groceries and gas
One function of crime myths is to put people in categories- victims, criminals, law abiding citizens, crime fighters
The problem is that these categories are not mutually exclusive- people may belong to multiple categories
The labeling has a consequence and can effect social relationships- then people look to define others who may fit the category
2. Reinforce Existing Social Arrangements
It will reinforce existing social relationships, it is a good was to maintain the status quo
Racial profiling is a good example- Most people do not believe it is a good idea or just believe it is not a good idea for them, one idea is terrorist
3. Reconcile Contradictions
Individuals who go to prison will reoffend.
The crime myth is a tool for other social institutions.
4. Create a Collective Belief System
Most people fall under the law abiding citizen category, however if we use a myth to create the belief system the it can be false.
If