Qualitative assessment of the perceived seriousness of delinquent activity

Abstract

The general problem area that was explored during the course of this project was the qualitative assessment of delinquent activity by various social groups. Specifically, the project explored the feasibility of a universal type framework within which crimes could be placed in terms of their respective seriousness. The motivation behind this form of examination is based in the fact that personal discretion and bias, which are integral to the American Criminal Justice system, often result in an unequal application of the law. Standardized and uniform methods of evaluation would permit a more uniform application of the law.

The study itself consisted of a general correlational analysis between selected student and police samples. Each sample was asked to rank a series of 98 acts from the most serious to the least serious. These lists formed the basis for the comparisons.

In terms of statistical conclusions, the study identified 2 basic concepts. The first conclusion was simply that the perception of seriousness for a specific act is essentially accomplished on a single definitional level. Specifically, the project identified that seriousness is not deferentially defined along personal and social scales.

The second statistical conclusion was that there were no large differences in the listings of acts by various sample and subsample groups. The implication of this result, in terms of future research, is that the establishment of a common theoretical framework is indeed possible.