NCJ Number
99163
Journal
Sociological Focus Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: (August 1985) Pages: 199-208
Date Published
1985
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Using Blau and Blau (1982) data violent crime rates and socioeconomic characteristics of 125 SMSAs plus a Gastil's Southerness Index (Modified SMSAs) and percent young white males, this study extends the Blau and Blau 81982) study of inequality and violent behavior with nonlinear models.
Abstract
Gastil's Southernness, contrary to expectations, not only predicted homicide rates but rape, robbery, and assault rates as well. Inequality has no appreciable effect on SMSA violent crime rates while regional culture, social disorganization, and demographic factors have powerful effects. These findings have clear implications for future theoretical and empirical work on rates of violent behavior, among the more significant being that culture must be included as a predictor. (Author abstract)