...Assess the strengths and limitations of using unstructured interviews as a means of investigating the public’s perceptions of crime and fear of crime. (15 marks) Unstructured interviews give the freedom to vary the interview. There are no questions prepared beforehand, the interviewers asks questions from the flow of the answers given by interviewees. This type of research method produces qualitative data, that is rich and in detail piece of research. Data gained from unstructured interviews are recorded by looking for categories from the answers given from interviewees and tallying each time the category occurs. Investigating public’s perception of crime is a difficult sample to investigate using unstructured interviews. In the investigation the researcher must ensure that the findings from the sample will be able to generalise and being able to have access too such sample could be very difficult for the researcher. During the interview it is essential that the interviewer has the skills and techniques required to be able to build the rapport with the interviewee.Therefore before the research is conducted the interviewer must go through training to learn the essential tips regarding the method of research they have chosen. However, training could be expensive and this may be a problem for the researcher. Age is not an issue during this research as the target audience is the public, therefore all age groups are targeted. However, children would not be able...
Words: 1366 - Pages: 6
...to procedures of criminal prosecution. Judicial decisions are intended to reflect public opinion; therefore a judge would then feel obliged to hand down harsher sentences (Pfeiffer, Windzio & Kleinmann, 2005). This, in turn, confirms it is imperative to address the substantial difference between the public’s perception of crime rates, and accurate crime statistics. As previous Australian and international research has indicated, a large majority of the public perceives crime rates to be increasing; they also have inaccurate views on the severity of sentencing. “The Australian Public overestimates the proportion of crime that involves violence and underestimates the proportion of charged persons who go on to be convicted and imprisoned” (Roberts & Indermaur, 2009). To help explain this contradiction in Australia, crime statistics have been analyzed and factors that could influence these inaccurate perceptions have been discovered. Two significant factors that influence the perception that crime rates are increasing, is the gender of a person, and the mass media. Widespread studies have ben conducted in countries all over the world to uncover the real perception people have regarding the rates of crime, compared to factual crime statistics. Individuals use different sources to gather information when forming views about criminal justice...
Words: 2524 - Pages: 11
...are likely to become a victim of crime at some point in our life time. Such direct experiences with crime can leave devastating effects, on the victims and their loved ones, for years to come. However, the chance of becoming a victim of crime is actually very slim. Media programming and reports are an indirect form of exposure to crime and the impact crime has on its victims. The likelihood of being exposed to crime through the media is far greater than chances of victimisation. In this technology-based age, it's almost impossible to avoid crime in the media. On countless occasions, the Australian public have shown a rising perception rate of crime and have a particular fear of burglary, motor vehicle theft and robbery. However, this widely-held view is in stark contrast to actual rates of crime over the same period of time. The public's fear and perception of rising crime within Australia is strongly influenced by the media through a selective process of over-emphasising violence and crime in news reporting and television programs, portrayed without context or consequence. Recent Australian studies suggest the general public continues to perceive crime rates to be rising and that burglary, motor vehicle theft and robbery are the most commonly feared crimes. Weatherburn and Indermaur (2004) surveyed 1109 adults living in New South Wales and Western Australia, questioning them about crime trends over the previous twenty-four months. The survey focused on six common crimes, home...
Words: 2490 - Pages: 10
...Running head: EFFECTIVNESS OF ADVERTISMENT FOR SPEEDING BEHAVIOURS A Review of the Effectiveness of Advertisement Campaign as a countermeasure for preventing Speeding Behaviours in Drivers Name: Mylinh Huynh Student number: n8910481 Unit Name: Traffic Psychology Word Count: 3488 Abstract This essay discusses about the theoretical and empirical evidence relating to the effectiveness of advertisement as a countermeasure for speeding. The results of the review highlight the mixed and inconsistent findings that have been reported in the literature. While fear arousal appears important for attracting attention, its contribution to behaviour change appears less critical than other factors, such as perceptions of vulnerability and effective coping strategies. Furthermore, physical threat appeals such as death or portraying physical harm is less effective for males then females. Consequently, further research is required to determine the optimum way to utilise advertisement as a countermeasure for speeding. A Review of the Effectiveness of Advertisement Campaign as a countermeasure for preventing Speeding Behaviours in Drivers Most traffic accidents are caused by dangerous driving habits attained and carried out by drivers. Risky driver behaviours such as speeding and drink driving represent one of the leading causes to road trauma (Boyle, 1984). One of the most prevalent factors contributing to Australia's road death accidents is speeding. According to New...
Words: 3476 - Pages: 14
...Writing a Short Literature Review William Ashton, Ph.D. York College, CUNY A student began a short literature review on the stigma of the mentally ill and perceptions of dangerousness. Working through PsychArticles she found three likely articles. When she read each, she wrote a paragraph description of each: Alexander, L.A., & Link, B.G. (2003). The impact of contact on stigmatizing attitudes towards people with mental illness. Journal of Mental Health, 12, 271-289. Alexander and Link (2003) examined the stigma of mental illness, perceptions of dangerousness and social distance in a telephone survey. They found that, as a participant’s own life contact with mentally ill individuals increased, participants were both less likely to perceive a target mentally ill individual in a vignette as physically dangerous and less likely to desire social distance from the target. This relationship remained after controlling for demographic and confound variables, such as gender, ethnicity, education, income and political conservatism. They also found that any type of contact – with a friend, a spouse, a family member, a work contact, or a contact in a public place – with mentally ill individuals reduced perceptions of dangerousness of the target in the vignette. Corrigan, P. W., Rowan, D., Green, A., Lundin, R., River, P., Uphoff-Wasowski, K., White, K., & Kubiak, M.A. (2002). Challenging two mental illness stigmas: Personality responsibility and dangerousness....
Words: 3181 - Pages: 13
...J.Alfred Prufrock and Social Perception Nature versus Nurture is an age old debate that has taxed the minds of many. It begs to question whether an individual’s personal experiences or innate genetic attributes are the primary basis for an individual’s behavioral traits. Both sides of the argument provide strong evidence to support their claims, but to say experiences in life don’t influence a person’s behavior is a bit of a stretch. One can’t say that a high school student, or at least the vast majority, doesn’t let their peers’ actions and opinions play some role in their perception of how to act according to the social “norm”. Fear of being considered an outsider and social stigmatization drives many people to evaluate, and reevaluate every decision they consider. Often times we let these fears overwhelm us and inhibit any further progression beyond fantasizing how the scenario would play out. Even though there are a vast number of social dynamics that influence an individual’s actions and perception, we must recognize that these interactions are a part of a social structure that can be challenged, if we dare to explore the unknown. In “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, T.S. Eliot uses a dramatic monologue to address and illustrate many common issues revolving around social perceptions. One such issue is a common theme addressed at the very beginning and mentioned throughout this literary work—reputation. The Epigraph depicts a conversation between Dante and Guido...
Words: 1329 - Pages: 6
...com/ ) Mental Illness Paper Anorexia nervosa is not really about food. It is an unhealthy way of trying to cope with emotional problems. Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat. The individual diagnosed with anorexia nervosa does not want to maintain even the minimal weight considered normal for his or her age and height. The disorder is recognized by insufficient weight along with an intense fear of gaining weight and often-misunderstood awareness of his or her body weight and shape (Anorexia Nervosa, 2011). Anorexia nervosa is diagnosed by four different criteria. These criteria consist of the refusal to uphold a normal weight evidenced by failure to maintain a weight equal to 85% of that expected for his or her height and age. Criteria B include the extreme fear of weight gain or of becoming fat although the individual is obviously underweight. Criteria C is met when the individual exhibits denial about their condition, has troubled perceptions about his or her weight or look or has an obsession with regard to their appearance as related to weight. The final criteria is met if the individual is female and of menstrual age and has experienced the absence of three menstrual cycles because of their illness (Gentile, 2010) Additionally there are two sub-types of the illness. Restricting anorexics that reduce nutritional intake without the use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas. In addition, the...
Words: 7267 - Pages: 30
...evidence suggests crime rates are not increasing. How can we explain this apparent contradiction? Current crime rates in Australia do not reflect the public’s perception, as criminal activity is steadily decreasing year after year. However, the public’s view is that crime is on the rise. Due to this unwavering perception of increased crime rates, some people have developed a fear of becoming a victim and apprehensive of crime and all of its components. Influences that can create or enhance these emotions can be born from a number of areas for each individual. Some of these can be due to personal experiences, the media, as well as a person’s geographical location. All of these factors can impact a person’s viewpoint of crime. This essay will examine the perception and how this fear has come to be, despite statistics proving that crime is in fact not increasing. The definition of ‘perception’ as per the Oxford dictionary is “the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses” - essentially what people see and hear will mould their opinions and emotions as to what is happening in the world around them. If a person has a fear of crime as well as that of becoming a victim, the strength of that fear could be great enough to inflict a negative impact on all aspects of their lives. This fear can have an impact on an individual’s simple normal day to day activities such as what time and where they do their shopping, the manner in which they go to work (public...
Words: 2293 - Pages: 10
...Individuals tend to insinuate that fear and imagination have no connection because fear comes from a dark, negative place in one’s mind, where imagination is creating another reality to escape the actual. However, there is a thin line between the two and to truly grasp what fear is and where it comes from, one has to understand the mind. The literal definition is, the element of a person that enables them to be aware of their surroundings, to think and feel; the faculty of consciousness and thought. This is the definition one will resort to if they have no imagination because they think of it like a tool, and not a way of life. The mind is not a corporeal object because it can’t be seen by eyes or fixed in surgery. For instance, when an individual's...
Words: 1937 - Pages: 8
...psychology, etc.) you believe is best suited for providing psychological insight into your preference (the fact that you like or dislike the thing you do) and why you believe it is so. I would choose Experimental psychology for my subfield. I believe it would relate to my fear of public speaking. The Experimental psychology is pertaining to all basic psychological process including perception, learning and motivation. My main fear of public speaking is based of the perception of others. And all I can think at the time is what they think of me and what I am saying. The learning part would be based of the passed my childhood. I could of learned the to fear public speaking due to other around me fearing it as well. And the motivational peace of it could come from no one acutely motivating me and teaching me how not to fear public speaking. Discuss how biological bases of behavior (including sensation and perception) have contributed to your preference. The biological bases of the behavior of my public speaking issues are of so many different factors. I believe it starts first in my brain and how it takes in the information and the false perception of the views. I really do believe the false perception of my views really plays the biggest part because my nervous system goes into panic mode. This basically causes my body to go out of control. Therefore, signals are being sent out all over my...
Words: 865 - Pages: 4
...asked what is thought? The first thing that comes out of most people’s mouth is thought is thinking. This is true however; a process must happen before one can think. Parts of this process are thinking, memory, perception, and perceptual blockers. In this paper, we will describe how the thought process works and how perception influences it. Describe Thinking Thinking is the mental and intelligent process that involves a person’s conscious part of the mind. When a person makes a choice to do something such as drive a certain way to work or intervene in a situation he or she is using the thought process. To think one must use his or her senses, perception, and memory. Excitement, fear, sadness, nerves, and happiness are some of the feelings that come from a person’s senses. In a movie, theater sitting outside the door we hear people scream walking in excitement and fear will set in. This is because a person’s memory has these emotions stored in its sensory section. Memory is the ability to remember emotions, thoughts, and perception from experiences that have happened in his or her past. Perception is the way we see and think about things. One’s perception is based on his or her beliefs and religion. Perception may interfere with a person’s memory and senses. My Perception As an aunt and taking this course major, I tend to analyze people as I watch them walk by or interact with his or her children, spouse, or friends. I find this to be very relaxing and help open my mind however...
Words: 957 - Pages: 4
...The fear of the unfamiliar and the fear of becoming obsolete are two ideas that may invoke true horror and terror. Within Ambrose Bierce’s short story “An Inhabitant of Carcosa,” both of these concepts come to life as the narrator perceives his newfound environment and tries to understand the situation he has found himself in. Through the use of the unfamiliar as well as a growing sense of unease and obsoleteness, Bierce leads the narrator, as well as his readers, through a story that invokes a dark sense of horror. When the narrator awakes in a desolate land, he quickly perceives that he recognizes nothing around him. This leads to the narrator to see everything around in him a darker way, for the unfamiliar landscape holds nothing of value or significance; instead, the narrator is a stranger in this world and so the things around him appear to be “mysterious,” “disquieting,” and even “malevolent” (Bierce 2). With this perception from the narrator, Bierce takes the readers on a path through the unfamiliar. The narrator, himself, knows nothing about his surroundings and this leads to uneasiness within the reader, as well. The entire story takes on a somber and foreign appeal. The true horror of “An Inhabitant of...
Words: 822 - Pages: 4
...general public`s perceptions of crime and the implications of this for the development of safety policies. The primary source of information on crime and safety policies is the mass media. Mass media has a primary aim to inform and entertain and therefore the coverage of crime may be inaccurate, biased and may promote inappropriate policies of crime control. However, the influence that the media imposes upon the public about crime will ultimately be dependent upon how the content of the media is interpreted by specific audiences. In relation to crime statistics and the public’s perceptions, the Government's British Crime Survey (BCS) of 2008/9, results showed that UK public felt crime had increased locally from 36 per cent in 2007/08 to 38 per cent in 2008/09 and an increase in the proportion of people who think crime has increased nationally from 65 per cent in 2007/08 to 75 per cent in 2008/09 when in fact the figures had decreased. On the other hand, some categories of crime did show an increase, such as theft from the person which increased by 7 per cent. Two main categories of mass media are print media and electronic media. Both categories differ in the way that print media is mainly factual and electronic media tends to provide visual imaging to relay information. At present visual media coverage is the most predominant in conveying the meanings and emotions of various crimes. It appears that visual media is what helps to shape the public’s perceptions of crime, the...
Words: 2719 - Pages: 11
...This paper addresses the gender gap disparity between levels of fear of crime. Researcher Diedrik Cops, introduces the “fear of crime paradox,” in which those groups that reported the highest levels of fear (women and elderly), in reality have a lower risk of actually being victimized (Cops, 2010). Research taken from National Victimization Surveys (NCVS) indicated in Crime and Criminals, explains that crimes typically occur intraracially, meaning between races and the characteristics of victims tend to male; young (between the ages of twelve and twenty-four); and more likely to be African American than white; more likely to be Hispanic than non-Hispanic (Crime and Criminals, 44). Researchers Kathleen Fox, Mat Nobles, and Alex Piquero, use...
Words: 1614 - Pages: 7
...strong 2. I am cautious 3. I am intuitive 4. I am knowledgeable 5. I fear not reaching my goal's I have chosen these five "I am" statements because I believe that they are a true represenatation of myself. My first I am statement "I am strong" is a good physical attribute as well as a good central layer value that I hold myself too, I take much pride in this as I want to be seen this way by others also. I am cautious, taking time to evaluate a situation or choice before it is made. I do not like to repeat things or make poor descicions, in my mind I would rather take the extra time to do it right the first time everytime when possible. I am intuitive, I often think that I have a good understanding or feeling towards a situation with out knowing all the details. I believe this goes along with my cautious nature. I am knowledgeable, I continuously try to further my knowledge with items that pertain to my carreer, home life and general well being. Afterall knowledge is power. Last but not least I fear not reaching my goals, I am a goal driven person setting numerous goals for myself and our household. sometimes the fear of not reaching them can limit my ability to set more....
Words: 614 - Pages: 3
