Crime and Media Representation

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Questions and Answers

Which factor most significantly contributes to the mass media's distortion of crime, criminals, and victims?

Under-representation of white-collar crimes.
Accurate reflection of statistical crime data.
Balanced portrayal of all racial demographics in crime reporting.
Over-representation of disadvantaged groups as offenders. (correct)

What is the primary implication of the 'racialization of crime images' in media?

It acknowledges the impact of socioeconomic factors on crime.
It promotes understanding of the root causes of crime within specific communities.
It reinforces stereotypes linking certain racial groups with criminality. (correct)
It accurately reflects the diversity of offenders.

What is the most significant critique of the phrase 'Black on Black crime'?

It highlights the prevalence of intra-racial crime.
It encourages community-based solutions to crime.
It obscures the systemic issues contributing to crime. (correct)
It accurately describes crime patterns within specific communities.

Which of the following best describes the typical racialization of drug users and dealers in mass media, compared to actual drug use patterns?

Disproportionately depicts minority groups as drug users and dealers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The 'Unholy Trinity' aims to convince individuals that something is deviant and requires action. What is the significance of this concept in the context of crime and deviance?

It underscores the process by which certain behaviors are labeled as deviant and the push for intervention. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the most accurate definition of 'social order'?

The state of stability maintained through norms, values, and laws. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does media influence the fear of crime, and what is the primary consequence of this influence?

By distorting crime and usually consistent with dominant culture leading to skewed perceptions and priorities. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between 'common sense' knowledge of crime and 'empirical' crime reality, and why is it important to distinguish between the two?

'Common sense' knowledge relies on societal constructs and stereotypes, while 'empirical' reality is based on data and evidence. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is ideology primarily linked to social structure and social dynamics?

It can be deeply embedded in social life and cultural forms, often unnoticed. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ideological effects' of crime images refer to?

The embedded messages about class, race, and gender within crime images. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Where do most Americans primarily get their knowledge of crime, and why is this a relevant concern?

From media sources, which may distort the reality of crime. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'crime myth,' and where do these myths originate?

A collection of stories that distort the reality of crime, originating from culture, media, and society. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the primary means by which hegemony is maintained in a society?

Through cultural forms, processes, and consent. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why are crime myths described as 'symbolic vehicles,' and what do they convey?

Because they relay underlying meanings, ideologies, and can convey meaning about power structures. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do crime myths impact society, and which groups are often the subjects of these myths?

They distort the reality of crime, often targeting unpopular, deviant, and minority groups. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the LEAST likely function of crime myths?

To promote community engagement and cohesion. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of crime being 'socially constructed'?

Acts once considered acceptable, such as public intoxication, are now criminalized due to changing societal values. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A country legalizes marijuana use, while its neighboring country maintains strict prohibition. This difference exemplifies which dimension of social relativity?

Cross-cultural (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the social construction of crime impact the criminalization process?

It shapes which behaviors are defined as criminal leading to selective surveillance and varied responses. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The 'unholy trinity' in criminology refers to the interconnected relationship between:

Fear of crime, actual crime rates, and crime imagery. (C) Signup and view all the answers

An increase in media reporting on violent crime, despite a decrease in official crime statistics, is most likely to result in:

A heightened public fear of crime and increased demand for stricter law enforcement. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Newsmaking criminology aims to:

Influence public policy by disseminating criminological research through media outlets. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes how official measures of crime are part of the criminalization process?

They provide data that can influence perceptions of crime and inform policy responses. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key implication of understanding crime as a sociological problem rather than solely an individual one?

It allows for the development of comprehensive crime prevention strategies that target social factors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Newsmaking criminology emphasizes locating media portrayals of serious crimes within the broader context of all illegal and harmful activities. What is the primary goal of this approach?

To counteract media bias and provide the public with a more comprehensive understanding of crime. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the media's focus on street crime, compared to suite crime (white-collar crime), contribute to the 'fear of crime'?

It exaggerates the risk of street crime committed by strangers, leading to disproportionate fear despite its lower prevalence. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The 'fear of crime' is often described as socially patterned. Which of the following demographic groups typically experiences the highest rates of fear, and how does media consumption relate to this?

Elderly individuals and people of color; higher media consumption. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can the 'fear of crime' be utilized as a social resource, and what are some potential consequences of this?

By pushing narratives that scapegoat certain groups, increasing support for harsher penalties and surveillance. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The concept of 'stranger danger' is often emphasized in discussions about crime. How does this perception align with empirical criminal reality?

It contradicts empirical data, as crimes are more frequently committed by people known to the victim. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental difference between the legal and sociological approaches to defining crime?

The legal definition is straightforward and relies on written laws, while the sociological definition is broader and considers political and social contexts. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the specific definition of crime chosen by criminologists and policymakers significant?

Definitions of crime determine which behaviors are subject to legal sanctions and shape the focus of crime prevention efforts. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How might a sociological definition of crime broaden our understanding compared to a strictly legal definition?

It allows us to consider acts that cause significant social harm even if they are not illegal. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a perpetrator commits both robbery and aggravated assault in a single incident, how would the UCR's hierarchy rule affect the reporting of this crime?

Only the robbery would be reported, as it is considered the more serious offense. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates a limitation of police-based crime data like the UCR?

A victim of sexual assault chooses not to report the crime to the police due to fear of stigmatization, resulting in the crime not being included in the UCR. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The FBI's UCR (Uniform Crime Reporting) program was established in 1930. What was a primary motivation for its creation?

To establish a national standard for collecting and reporting crime data. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the scope of data collected by the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) differ from that of the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program?

NIBRS collects more detailed data and includes a broader range of offenses compared to the UCR. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is a valuable source of crime data, but it is not without limitations. Which of the following is a known limitation of the NCVS?

It may not capture crimes against businesses or organizations. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between Part 1 and Part 2 crimes as categorized by the UCR?

Part 1 crimes are based on data of crimes known to police, while Part 2 crimes are based on data of crimes cleared by arrest. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) address the limitations of police-reported crime data, such as the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program?

By including crimes that are not reported to the police, offering a more comprehensive picture of crime rates. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the principle of stare decisis?

A court rules on a novel case by referencing and applying legal principles established in similar past cases. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do felonies and misdemeanors primarily differ in their legal consequences?

Felonies often result in significant prison sentences and potential loss of rights, while misdemeanors usually involve shorter jail terms or fines. (C) Signup and view all the answers

If a jurisdiction transitions from using the UCR to the NIBRS, what is a likely consequence regarding crime statistics?

A perceived increase in the number of reported crimes due to the NIBRS's more detailed data collection and elimination of the hierarchy rule. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario illustrates an 'analogous social injury' that might warrant criminalization?

A person consistently spreading misinformation online, causing widespread panic and distrust. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes strict liability offenses from other types of crimes?

Strict liability offenses do not require proof of mens rea, meaning guilt can be established regardless of intent. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A 17-year-old is charged with possession of alcohol. This charge would be considered a:

Status Offense (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?

To prosecute individuals for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of criminal law, what is the distinction between 'actus reus' and 'mens rea'?

'Actus reus' refers to the guilty act, while 'mens rea' refers to the guilty mind or intent. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How do criminal law and civil law fundamentally differ in terms of their objectives?

Criminal law aims to maintain public order through punishment, while civil law seeks to resolve disputes and provide remedies for private harms. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Social order

The established system of social norms and values to maintain stability.

Hegemony

A dynamic hierarchical social order maintained by cultural processes.