NCJ Number
191405
Journal
American Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 25 Issue: 2 Dated: Spring 2001 Pages: 293-305
Editor(s)
William G. Doerner
Date Published
2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examined college students’ perceptions with regard to hate crimes.
Abstract
The hypothesis of this study was that, because of their background, criminal justice majors would have a better understanding of hate crimes and be more likely to identify incidents as such. This hypothesis was proven wrong. The term minority here not only referred to racial minorities but also includes religious, sexual, and gender as well. Criminal and non-criminal majors were studied. Certain characteristics stood out between these groups. Criminal justice majors tended to be older and more likely male. Both groups had similar portions of whites and Blacks. It was also found that females and non-criminal majors are more likely to disagree over all types of hate crimes, while criminal justice majors were less likely to identify sexual minorities, females, or Jews as victims. According to the author, this demonstrated the need for separate courses within the criminal justice curriculum to address the issues of gender and multiculturalism. Tables, references, appendix