5 - Self Report Studies

Question 1

What are self-report studies?

Answer 1

Self-reports can consist of a quantitative questionnaire that uncovers the true amount of crime that has been committed in society
It lists petty criminal acts such as street crime and assault and asks respondents to tick the crimes that they have successfully committed without being caught
The sociologist can count how many offences the person has committed

Question 2

Positive AO3 points for self-reports

Answer 2

80% of offenders who fill them in tell the truth about the crimes they have committed. Therefore self report studies might be more reliable that official statistics such as police records and the CSEW

Question 3

Negative AO3 points for self-reports

Answer 3

Marsh has criticised the validity of self-reports are compromised by males over reporting the crimes they have committed due to bravado and trying to portray a hegemonic masculinity ideal
The list of crimes does not include a full comprehensive list of all crimes e.g. the crime of rape is excluded (Feminists) and white collar crime is also excluded

Question 4

What was Newburn and Hagel’s self-report study?

Answer 4

531 participants aged 10-16 years old from London and the Midlands were selected to answer a self report
The sample were selected on the basis that they had been arrested at least 3 times in 1992
33% admitted to committing violent crime
Lone offenders were a minority

Question 5

Positive AO3 points for Newburn and Hagel’s self-report

Answer 5

Can offer verstehn into the social profile of young male offenders

Question 6

Negative AO3 points for Newburn and Hagel’s self-report

Answer 6

Cannot be generalised to the wider population as it was only in one area, gender, and age