Crime statistics

Question 1

right realist point?

Answer 1

official reported levels of criminal activity are accurate

and that crime rates rise without tough law and order policies.

Question 2

right realist evidence?

Answer 2

Tonry

violent and property crimes rose in all wealthy Western countries increased from the 1960s to the 1990s

major ‘crime drop’ from the 1980s, with violent crime rates in New York falling by 75%

Question 3

right realist analysis?

Answer 3

Wilson

official crime statistics are valid and give an accurate indication of the levels of law-breaking behaviour in societies

statistics are considered to reflect the “primary concerns” of society about criminal behaviour.

Question 4

interactionist point?

Answer 4

crime statistics are inaccurate and levels of crime arent rising

statistics are socially constructed through labelling and the self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 5

interactionist evidence?

Answer 5

Kitsuse and Cicourel

agencies of social control create official statistics to construct society’s idea of criminal deviance

they focus on certain groups because of stereotypes, label their behaviour as criminal, then collect official statistics that show these groups are breaking the law

Question 6

interactionist analysis?

Answer 6

Biderman and Reiss

dark figure of unreported behaviour

should use self-report or victim studies instead