SUBJECTIVE FACTOR IN THE PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS

• NCJ Number: 42293
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: (1977) Pages: 66-78
• Author(s): D M CHANG; C M JANEKSELA
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: Assoc for Psychiatric Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE REPORTS ON RESEARCH CONDUCTED TO EXPLORE THE PERCEPTIONS OF FOUR SOCIAL STATUS GROUPS WITH REGARD TO WHICH SOCIAL PROBLEMS ARE MOST PRESSING IN OUR SOCIETY.

Abstract

THE SOCIAL STATUS GROUPINGS INVESTIGATED WERE ADULT INMATES, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND POLICE OFFICERS. EACH GROUP WAS STUDIED WITH REGARD TO ITS PERCEPTIONS OF TEN SOCIAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING EDUCATION, POVERTY, CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, RACISM, WAR, CORRUPTION, PROSTITUTION, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, UNEMPLOYMENT, AND SUICIDE. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND POLICE OFFICERS WERE SIMILAR, AND THAT THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE INMATES AND STUDENTS POLLED WERE MORE CLOSELY RELATED TO EACH OTHER THAN TO THE OTHER GROUPS. THE AUTHORS SUGGEST THAT A LONGITUDINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL'S PERCEPTIONS OF A SOCIAL PROBLEM AND HIS TENDENCY TO ACT WITH REGARD TO SOLVING THAT PROBLEM IS NEEDED....EB