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Questions and Answers
According to the racial threat hypothesis, what is the primary concern for whites as minority groups grow in population?
According to the racial threat hypothesis, what is the primary concern for whites as minority groups grow in population?
The racial threat hypothesis suggests that minority groups become politically weaker as they grow in numbers.
The racial threat hypothesis suggests that minority groups become politically weaker as they grow in numbers.
False
What term is used to describe the concept that individuals may feel threatened by the social presence of minority groups?
What term is used to describe the concept that individuals may feel threatened by the social presence of minority groups?
Racial threat hypothesis
As minority racial group populations grow, there is an increase in their political, social, and ____ capital.
As minority racial group populations grow, there is an increase in their political, social, and ____ capital.
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What happens to the application of social control once minority groups reach a 'critical mass'?
What happens to the application of social control once minority groups reach a 'critical mass'?
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Match the following terms with their corresponding descriptions:
Match the following terms with their corresponding descriptions:
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Economic resources are not a factor in the racial threat hypothesis.
Economic resources are not a factor in the racial threat hypothesis.
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Whites may feel the need to suppress the growing power of ____ groups.
Whites may feel the need to suppress the growing power of ____ groups.
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Study Notes
Conflict Theory
- Chapter 10 of Criminal Justice & Criminology course notes
- Focuses on racial threat hypothesis
Racial Threat Hypothesis
- Blumer (1958), Blalock (1967)
- Textbook "Social Threat" (Liska, 1992) offers similar concept.
- Relationship exists between "threatening" social groups and crime control measures (law-making, enforcement, and administration of justice).
- Racial context affects public and social control agents' perceptions of threat.
- This in turn influences the application of punishment and social control among minorities.
Key elements of hypothesis
- As minority racial group populations grow, minorities gain more power, economic resources, and political influence in the community.
- Increased minority influence often results in whites feeling:
- Physically threatened (insecurity, fear, perceived risk)
- That privilege and power positions are jeopardized
- Need to protect their positions of power by suppressing minorities via social controls.
Mixed Empirical Evidence
- Crime control efforts (size of police force) are positively correlated with the percentage of minority population.
- White-on-black crime increases as black employment rates approach white levels.
- Application of punishment and social control has racial disparities.
- Likelihood of jail/prison, sentence length, and death penalty sentences are increased among minority groups.
- Limits on voting rights often affect minority populations.
- Racial/ethnic threat leads to more negative social controls.
Additional Notes
- When the minority group reaches a "critical mass," they can effectively use their power to contest social controls.
- Punitive severity may decrease as the minority group becomes more prominent and powerful.
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Description
Dive into Chapter 10 of the Criminal Justice & Criminology course as we explore the racial threat hypothesis. This chapter examines the dynamics between minority populations and the resulting social control measures. Understand how perceptions of threat influence crime control and the administration of justice in a racially diverse society.
