PUBLIC RESPONSES TO HYPOTHETICAL CRIMES - EFFECT OF OFFENDER AND VICTIM STATUS AND SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE ON PUNITIVE REACTIONS

• NCJ Number: 26102
• Journal: Social Forces Volume: 53 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 411-419
• Author(s): G F WHITE
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): PHS MH 21887 CD
• Sponsoring Agency: Indiana University; US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: University of North Carolina Press
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ADULT REACTIONS TO 27 HYPOTHETICAL CRIMINAL OFFENSES ARE EXPLORED TO ASSESS HOW OFFENDERS' AND VICTIMS' OCCUPATIONAL STATUS AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ACTS AFFECT CONCEPTIONS OF 'FAIR PUNISHMENT.'

Abstract

THE FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATUS OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS IS NOT USED IN MAKING JUDGMENTS ABOUT PUNISHMENT. RATHER, PUNITIVE REACTIONS SEEM TO BE BASED PRINCIPALLY ON THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ACT. FURTHER, AN INVESTIGATION OF INTERACTION SHOWED THAT THE KIND OF ACT WAS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR, EVEN BEYOND THE DEGREE OF HARM PRODUCED. FURTHER INQUIRIES SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE EFFECTS OF VICTIM RESPONSIBILITY AND OFFENDER INTENTIONALITY ON THE PUBLIC'S REACTION TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES.