NCJ Number
26263
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 145-156
Date Published
1974
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF WHITE COLLAR CRIMES, OF THE SANCTIONS FELT APPROPRIATE FOR SUCH OFFENSES, AND OF WILLINGNESS ASSOCIATES WITH WHITE COLLAR OFFENDERS.
Abstract
DATA WERE ACQUIRED THROUGH ADMINISTERING QUESTIONNAIRES TO AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS. KNOWLEDGE OF WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALITY AMONG THE STUDY SUBJECTS WAS LIMITED, AND ONLY MINOR SUCCESS WAS ACHIEVED IN ASKING THE STUDENTS TO CHARACTERIZE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH OFFENDERS. FOR WHITE COLLAR OFFENSES, THE HARSHEST PENALTIES WERE IMPOSED BY MALES, BLACKS, YOUNG ADULTS, NON-FLAG FLYERS, STUDENTS WITH FATHERS IN CLERICAL, SALES AND BLUE COLLAR OCCUPATIONS, NON-SOCIAL SCIENCE MAJORS, RURALS AND SMALL CITY DWELLERS, NON-CHURCH ATTENDERS AND NON-MEMBERS. ON SOCIAL DISTINCT ITEMS, SUBJECTS INDICATED AN UNWILLINGNESS TO ASSOCIATE WITH THOSE LABELED CRIMINAL WHETHER WHITE COLLAR OR OTHER. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THOSE WITH SECULAR AND MINORITY CHARACTERISTICS ARE MORE LIKELY TO RECOGNISE WHITE COLLAR CRIME, IMPOSE PENALTIES FOR ITS COMMISSION, BUT ARE LESS LIKELY TO PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATE EITHER KIND OF CRIMINAL. THOSE WITH MAJORITY GROUP AND MORALITY CHARACTERISTICS ARE LESS LIKELY TO RECOGNISE OR PENALISE WHITE COLLAR CRIME, BUT ARE MORE LIKELY TO PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATE BOTH KINDS OF CRIMINALS ONCE THE LABEL HAS BEEN APPLIED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)