Framing and Cultivating the Story of Crime

Abstract

The current study extended prior research by considering the effects of media, victimization, and network experiences on attitudes about crime and justice, drawing on the problem frame, cultivation, real-word, and interpersonal diffusion theses. Data were from a survey of Nebraska adults ( n = 550) who were asked about their social networks; beliefs about media reliability; use of newspaper and news on TV, radio, and the Internet; and exposure to violence on TV, movies, and the Internet. Results indicated that viewing TV violence predicted worry and anger about crime. Believing the media are a reliable source of information about crime predicted more anger and more support for the justice system. Personal and network members’ victimization was also linked to attitudes. Other network contacts, including knowing police or correctional officers or knowing someone who had been arrested or incarcerated, had limited effects. The results support the problem frame and cultivation theses in that media framing and media consumption influence attitudes about crime, as do certain real-world experiences.

Confianza, victimización y desorden en la percepción de inseguridad en los mexicanos

“…Este estudio se divide en dos secciones: la primera corresponde al análisis estadístico descriptivo, y la segunda muestra el modelo de regresión en donde se explican las relaciones causales pertinentes a discutir. Por otra parte, analizamos un segundo modelo presentado en la tabla 5, donde se toma la inseguridad en la comunidad como Por ejemplo, la victimización juega un papel significativo en la percepción de inseguridad de las personas, tanto en la comunidad como en su hogar (Kort-Butler & Habecker, 2018). Así también, el desorden social facilita el miedo a sentirse victimizado en el futuro (Snedker, 2015).…”

Increased Risks or Peace of Mind? Exploring Fear, Victimization, and Safety Strategies Among Women Planning to Get a Gun

“…Relatedly, more women planning to get a gun also reported recent victimization (41.2%) compared to nongun owners and gun owners (26%). This makes sense considering perceived vulnerability to victimization has been linked to prior victimization experiences (Jackson & Gouseti, 2016; Kort-Butler & Habecker, 2017; Noble & Jardin, 2020; Rühs et al, 2017). Gun owners in the current study, however, had higher lifetime victimization experiences but similar levels of concern for safety as nongun owners.…”

“…Trends in crime victimization suggest that, each year, over five million people experience violent crime and around two million people experienced serious violent crime (Morgan & Truman, 2020). Additionally, television and social media is inundated with reports of violence each day, potentially increasing stress and worry about personal safety (American Psychological Association, 2017; Kort-Butler & Habecker, 2017; Weitzer & Kubrin, 2004). During the COVID-19 pandemic and public protests against racial inequity there has been an increase in overall reported stress levels (American Psychological Association, 2020), mental health problems (Czeisler et al, 2020), substance use (Czeisler et al, 2020; Haley & Saitz, 2020; Pollard et al, 2020), suicidal ideation (Czeisler et al, 2020), and partner abuse (Peterman & O'Donnell, 2020; Piquero et al, 2020).…”

“…Past crime victimization experience has been associated with increased concern for personal safety and perceived vulnerability to future victimization (Jackson & Gouseti, 2016; Kort-Butler & Habecker, 2017; Noble & Jardin, 2020; Rühs et al, 2017). In addition, previous victimization experiences have also been associated with gun ownership and gun carrying (Gresham & Demuth, 2020; Turner et al, 2016; Wallace, 2017a).…”

Alerting Faculty, Staff, and Students? Public Opinion on Sex Offender Notification on College Campuses

“…Perceptions about social problems getting worse over time, like school violence, dating and intimate partner violence, and sexual assault, may also have the potential to influence community member’s views on the importance of policy responses (e.g., Budd et al, 2017; Warr & Ellison, 2000). Such perceptions of social problems worsening over time would not be a drastic surprise given media depictions of crime, news media narratives on crime, as well as coverage of crime types like school violence and CSA (e.g., Baranauskas & Drakulich, 2018; Kort-Butler & Habecker, 2018; Kupchik & Bracy, 2009; O’Boyle & Li, 2019). Hence, it would be feasible to hypothesize that if community members perceive social problems are worse now compared to in the past, they may feel an extension of sex offender notification to IHE may be important to implement.…”