We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Criminal

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Factors Affect the Perception of Crime?

By Jacob Queen
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 18,827
References
Share

The public perception of crime can potentially be very different from reality, and there are many factors which play a role in creating this disparity. Sometimes the news media has a tendency to focus on negative stories, including various criminal occurrences, and this is often blamed as a key factor in changing public perception. Other things that can make an impact include the specifics of the crimes being committed, and the location where crimes are occurring. Politicians can sometimes change the public perception of crime as well, depending on the kind of rhetoric they use when campaigning.

It is fairly common for polling groups to look at public opinion regarding crime rates for a variety of reasons, and these studies often show a big disparity when compared to real crime statistics. Often people believe that crime in their living area is worse than it actually is, even during times when crime rates are falling. Public perception of crime can very often have little to do with the actual crime statistics at all, and many experts believe that other factors play a much more pivotal role than the actual number of crimes in determining how people feel.

The news media often gets a lot of blame for the difference between the perception of crime and the reality. Journalists can sometimes have a tendency to focus on negative news, and they may not give quite as much attention to more positive stories. For example, news stories about crime rates dropping will usually only get a passing mention, while a single story about a crime occurring might monopolize the headlines for days or weeks depending on the nature of the crime and the interest of the public.

Another factor that can make an impact on the perception of crime is the location where crimes are occurring. People naturally tend to feel more greatly endangered when a crime happens closer to them, and people who live in areas with lower crime rates may suffer an especially serious shock if something happens close to their homes. A single crime in the right location can totally change the public perception in that area even if it isn't statistically significant when looked at on a broader scale.

The specific nature of a criminal act can also totally change the public perception of crime. In many cases, the biggest headline crime stories have a lot of natural drama and shock value. These sorts of stories can sometimes frighten people, and over time, they can potentially make individuals feel that crime is on the rise even if it isn't.

Politicians frequently rely on the sensational nature of crime to drive people to the polls. They often do this by emphasizing crime in their rhetoric to attack a political opponent's record on criminal justice. Some experts believe that this sort of rhetoric can potentially make a significant number of people believe that crime is worse than it actually is. If people begin to believe that law enforcement isn't doing a good job, they might start to develop an overall belief that crime is out of control even if they aren't seeing any actual crime in their own environment.

Share
MyLawQuestions is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
By Wisedly33 — On Jan 23, 2014

One good example of this is the recent Trayvon Martin case in Florida. There were people howling about this case on both sides of the issue. Some said Martin was a punk who was looking for trouble. Others said George Zimmerman was a wanna-be hero, looking for attention. As with most such stories, the truth is almost certainly somewhere in between.

While I wouldn't rule out Martin having been in trouble, or even looking for trouble at some point, one fact is that Zimmerman should have stayed in his car, per the 911 dispatcher's orders. But that's just one person's opinion. Others would probably vehemently disagree with me.

Share
https://www.mylawquestions.com/what-factors-affect-the-perception-of-crime.htm
Copy this link
MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.