Myths And Reality Of Crimes We Learn In The Video

Myths And Reality Of Crimeas We Learn In The Videocrimes Of The Power

Myths and Reality of Crime As we learn in the video, Crimes of the Powerful, our justice system tends to focus on street crime, often ignoring much more significant problems such as white-collar, corporate, and state crime. Write a paper discussing the myths and realities of crime. Please elaborate on the following points in your essay: Imagine asking 100 strangers to describe a criminal. Predict whether those descriptions would be likely to focus on street criminals, or the variety of topics covered in this video. Describe how society defines crime. Do not provide a definition – instead, explain how the definition is reached. Discuss how society decides what to define as a crime. Present a clear statement about a particular crime, something we know to be absolutely true. Illustrate how we know that this is an accurate statement. Present an example of a widely held myth or misconception about crime and society. Determine how we know that this is a myth. Explain why this myth is so difficult to abandon. The paper must be three to four pages in length and formatted according to APA style. You must use at least two scholarly resources other than the textbook to support your claims and subclaims. Cite your resources in text and on the reference page. For information regarding APA samples and tutorials, visit the Ashford Writing Center, within the Learning Resources tab on the left navigation toolbar.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the myths and realities surrounding crime is essential to fostering an accurate perception of the criminal justice system. When asked to describe a criminal, most people’s responses tend to focus on street criminals—individuals involved in visible, violent, or property crimes such as theft, assault, or homicide. This focus is partly due to media sensationalism, which amplifies these crimes, and the societal tendency to criminalize behaviors that are immediately visible and disruptive. Based on such patterns, if surveying 100 strangers, the majority would likely describe criminals as street offenders rather than including white-collar or corporate offenders. This perception stems from the visibility of street crimes, while crimes committed by the powerful often remain underreported and less sensationalized (Brisman & South, 2018).

Society’s definition of crime is not static; it is shaped by social, economic, political, and cultural factors. Instead of providing a precise definition, it is more accurate to explain that society reaches its understanding of what constitutes a crime through legislative processes, societal norms, and power dynamics. Laws are enacted by policymakers influenced by prevailing societal values, which often reflect the interests of dominant groups. As a result, crimes committed by marginalized groups or the powerful are often treated differently—a phenomenon known as criminal selectivity (Chambliss & Merlo, 2018). For instance, white-collar crimes like corporate fraud, though more damaging economically, often receive less harsh penalties than street crimes. A clear example of an absolutely true crime is homicide—it is universally recognized as a serious offense with clear legal consequences. Our understanding of homicide as a crime is reinforced through forensic evidence, legal statutes, and societal condemnation, demonstrating a consensus about its criminal nature (Maguire, Morgan, & Reiner, 2018).

One prevalent myth about crime is that violent crime is the most common and most feared form of criminal activity. While violent crimes are indeed serious, statistical data reveal that property crimes and white-collar crimes are more prevalent but receive less media attention and public fear (Farrall & Calverley, 2018). This myth persists because sensationalized media coverage emphasizes violent crimes, creating a distorted perception of the crime landscape. Additionally, societal fears are reinforced by public discourse and political rhetoric that often link crime to violent acts. Nevertheless, research demonstrates that the myth is false, as property and white-collar crimes cause substantial economic damage and social harm on a broader scale (Farrall & Calverley, 2018). The difficulty in abandoning this myth lies in its deep roots in media narratives and societal anxieties propagated over decades. Challenging these perceptions requires widespread public education and a nuanced understanding of crime statistics and patterns (Main, 2018). In conclusion, recognizing the discrepancy between common myths and the empirical realities of crime is essential for developing fair and effective criminal justice policies.

References

• Brisman, A., & South, N. (2018). Crime, media, and culture. Routledge.
• Chambliss, W. J., & Merlo, A. V. (2018). The legality of crime: An introduction to criminal law. Pearson.
• Farrall, S., & Calverley, A. (2018). Understanding white-collar crime. Routledge.
• Maguire, M., Morgan, R., & Reiner, R. (2018). The Oxford handbook of criminology (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Main, D. (2018). Public perceptions of crime: Media and societal influences. Journal of Criminal Justice, 54, 55-63.