East Meets West: Chinese and U.S. College Students' Views on Formal and Informal Crime Control

• NCJ Number: 230243
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 264-284
• Author(s): Shanhe Jiang; Erich Lambert; Morris Jenkins
• Date Published: April 2010
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined survey data to determine the importance of each form of social control among Chinese and U.S. college students.

Abstract

Both formal and informal crime control are used to deter people from engaging in criminal behavior that is harmful to the well-being of society. Formal criminal justice control uses the law and official government agencies to promote compliance, whereas informal criminal justice control uses morals and social institutions to encourage people to be law abiding. Chinese students were more likely to view formal and informal crime control as important mechanisms. Furthermore, Chinese students ranked the blending of formal and informal crime control as being more important. Tables, notes, and references (Published Abstract)