Public opinion on crime causation: An exploratory study of Philadelphia area residents

Purpose This study examined criminal causal relationships from samples of randomly selected residents in the Philadelphia area. By telephone investigation, residents (N = 359) were asked about 37 questions on the level of support for several criminal logic theories including classical theory, biological theory, psychology theory, social collapse theory, strains. / General strain theory, subculture theory, social learning theory, social control / general theory, labeling theory, critique theory and environmental criminal logic theory. The analysis evaluated whether respondents' opinions differed depending on race, sex, and political ideology. At the same time, inter-racial and inter-ethnic internal analysis is done to determine supportive nuances for a specific criminal point of view. The results show that public opinion on the cause of crime has many serious gender differences and ethnic differences, but there is little difference within the race. The results also support that previous studies supported the view that political ideology is related to the level of support of particular criminal theory. Conclusion In general, this result shows the benefits of including non-occupational perspectives in discussing causal relationships of crime.

► Residents in the Philadelphia area were asked about views on the cause of the crime. ► There is a gender difference in opinion on the cause of a crime. ► There are major differences between races in opinions on criminal causes. ► There are few differences among ethnic groups in opinions on the causes of crime. ► Public opinion on criminal causes is very different based on political ideology

Purpose This study examined criminal causal relationships from samples of randomly selected residents in the Philadelphia area. By telephone investigation, residents (N = 359) were asked about 37 questions on the level of support for several criminal logic theories including classical theory, biological theory, psychology theory, social collapse theory, strains. / General strain theory, subculture theory, social learning theory, social control / general theory, labeling theory, critique theory and environmental criminal logic theory. The analysis evaluated whether respondents' opinions differed depending on race, sex, and political ideology. At the same time, inter-racial and inter-ethnic internal analysis is done to determine the nuances that support a specific criminal point of view. The results show that public opinion on the cause of crime has many serious gender differences and ethnic differences, but there is little difference within the race.