Criminal

Question 1

Name the two background studies that support ‘Crime Prevention’

Answer 1

• Newmans Theory of Defensible Space

- Brattons Zero-Tolerance Policy

Question 2

Explain how Newman created his Theory of Defensible space

Answer 2

Newman was an architect involved in two projects in New York, Van Dyke and Brownsville. Van Dyke had high rise flats and Brownsville had a collection of walk up buildings built around courtyards. Van Dyke had higher rates of graffiti and vandalism. Brownsville had more surveillance opportunities, putting off potential criminals.

Question 3

What is Newmans Defensible Space Theory?

Answer 3

Theory used in low cost housing to reduce crime. Introduction of communal areas gives the community a responsibility and adds a sense of ownership, deterring criminals.

Question 4

Explain Brattons ‘Zero-Tolerance Policy’

Answer 4

Focused on the New York subway, arresting people for minor crimes such as fare dodging. Therefore arrests for more serious crkmes decreased by 25%

Question 5

What is the Broken Windows Theory?

Answer 5

A situational explanation of crime. The idea is that if physical or social disorder is left unchallenged, peoples fear of crime in a community is increased. This can lead to an increase in criminal behaviour.

Question 6

What was the aim of Wilson and Kellings research?

Answer 6

To challenge existing beliefs about the fear of crime and investigate the role of police (particularly foot patrols).

Question 7

What was the sample in Wilson and Kellings research?

Answer 7

Police officers and the public of Newark, New Jersey

Question 8

Describe the Procedure of Wilson and Kellings study

Answer 8

Kelling observed Newark Police foot-patrols. The aim was to expand police visibility and presence within the community by encouraging officers to get out of their cars and instead assigning them to ‘walking beats’

Question 9

What did Wilson and Kelling state about previous attitudes to foot patrols?

Answer 9

Existing attitudes were negative as it felt as though mobility of officers was reduced - they considered it a punishment.

Question 10

What was found after 5 years of foot patrols?

Answer 10

• An increase in foot patrols had not reduced crime rates

- However, residents did feel safer and thought crime rates had reduced

Question 11

How did Kelling suggest police foot patrols worked to prevent crime?

Answer 11

Maintenance of public order through informal rules. Police got to know members of community and were therefore able to enforce rules such as not being allowed to drink on main streets but could on side streets, and drunks could sit on the stoop but not lie down.

Question 12

How do Wilson and Kelling suggest that fear of crime is linked to the Broken Windows Theory?

Answer 12

When an area is rundown, citizens experience fear and retreat, potential offenders gravitate towards these areas.

Question 13

Give 2 conclusions of Wilson and Kellings article.

Answer 13

Foot patrols are good at improving the relationship between officers and residents and they can improve the quality of life of residents.

Question 14

Assess how research into crime prevention could be considered ethnocentric

Answer 14

1) Both Newman and Wilson+Kelling conducted their research in North America
2) Different cultures may have different relationships with the police and therefore the police may have more/less of an impact on behaviour
3) COUNTER Many cities are culturally diverse e.g New York where Bratton AND Newman conducted their research
4) Other areas of the world may not have the funding/resources to conduct foot patrols, they may already have a shortage of police officers

Question 15

What were the 2 types of crime in Dixons study?

Answer 15

• Blue collar (tends to be committed by someone of lower class e.g. burglary, theft)
• White collar (Committed by someone of higher class e.g. fraud, identity theft)

Question 16

What was the aim of Dixons study?

Answer 16

To investigate if someone with a brummie accent would receive a higher rating of guilt that a suspect with a standard accent.
Race and type of crime were also investigated.

Question 17

What was the sample in Dixons study?

Answer 17

• Conducted at the uni of Worcester

- 119 white undergraduate students

Question 18

Briefly outline the procedure in Dixons study

Answer 18

Participants would listen to a re-enactment of a 2 min tape recorded conversation between a police officer and a suspect. There were different versions of the tape depending on what condition the participant was in. In the tape a young man was pleading innocence of a crime. After listening to the recording they were asked to rate how guilty they thought the suspect was on a 7 point scale.

Question 19

What were the 3 IV’s in Dixons study?

Answer 19

• Birmingham vs standard accent
• Black vs White suspect
• White collar (fraud) vs blue collar crime (armed robbery)

Question 20

What were the results of Dixons study?

Answer 20

• The Brummie accent suspect was rated to be more guilty than the suspect with a standard accent.
• The Brummie, Black, Blue collar condition received the highest guilt rating overall.

Question 21

State 2 controls used in Dixons study.

Answer 21

• Those who grew up in Birmingham were excluded from the sample
• The ‘suspect’ was played by the same person regardless of the accent condition