Sociology 2266A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Copycat Crime, Anthropomorphism, Status Quo
17 Oct 2016
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Document Summary
Explore publics fascination w/ crime and media influence on public perception. Define criminology & provide a brief introduction to study of crime. How does crime news influence our fascination. What is social impact of our fascination. Criminal events range from ordinary to shocking. Fact finding: drama + suspense it sells, awareness. Serves positive functions: raises values of conformity & reaffirms boundaries. 1962 crime is low: 20% of violence crime homicides get reported. Atypical: more freq crime occur, less likely to be reported. Simplicity: media focus on simplicity and complex reality of events for mass production and emotional understanding. Personification: people stories, celebrities portray crime on victim and offender rather than understand criminals as broad event. Status quo: media emphasize on poor and powerless. Celebritisation of criminals: e. g. serial killer trading cards, copycat crimes, attention seeker (magazines) Increased fear of crime: overestimate amount of crime, negative view of justice system, favour harsher punishments. An interdisciplinary approach: commonality, sociological roots.
