NCJ Number
123557
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 32 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 335-343
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In this article, authors Gabor and Roberts continue their assertion that crime and race have no causal relationship and refute Phillipe Rushton's continuing assertions to the contrary.
Abstract
They quote Radzinowicz and King in warning that there is a persistent tendency to regard with suspicion those of different origins, to try to assert their inferiority in intelligence, morality, or both; and that such claims have served throughout history to justify all kinds of persecution, oppression, and exploitation. They do not deny that human behavior is influenced by genetic factors, but draw a distinction between this and any postulation that racial variations in crime rates are influenced by genetic factors. In response to Rushton's racial hierarchical theory (Mongoloids are greater than Caucasoids are greater than Negroids), they point out that in 1984 and 1986, "Mongoloid" countries far exceeded "Caucasoid" countries in average homicide rates, and that populous countries such as China were assigned no greater weight than smaller ones such as Luxembourg or the Cayman Islands. They dismiss Rushton's interpretation of historical facts as unscientific and his use of statistics as limited and ignorant of the substance and texture of everyday life and of individual differences. Note, 10 references.