Answer to Question 1
Each source of crime data has strengths and weaknesses
UCR
o The FBI survey contains data on the number and characteristics of people arrested, information that the other data sources lack
o It is also the source of information on particular crimes such as murder, which no other data source can provide
o While used extensively, the UCR omits the many crimes that victims choose not to report to police, and relies on the reporting accuracy of individual police departments
NCVS
o The NCVS includes unreported crime missed by the UCR and also contains important information on the personal characteristics of victims
o However, the data consist of estimates made from relatively limited samples of the total U.S. population
Even narrow fluctuations in the rates of some crimes can have a major impact on findings
o The NCVS relies on personal recollections that may be inaccurate
o It does not include data on important crime patterns, including murder and drug abuse
Self-report surveys
o Self-report surveys provide useful information because questions on delinquent activity are often supplemented with items measuring the personal characteristics of offenders, such as their attitudes, values, beliefs, and psychological profiles
o Self-reports can also be used to measure drug and alcohol abuse
o These data are not included in the UCR and NCVS
o At their core, self-reports rely on the honesty of respondents
Although their tallies of delinquency are certainly not in synch, the patterns and trends measured by various data sources are often quite similar:
o When the UCR shows a drop in illegal activity, so too does the NCVS
o They all generally agree about the personal characteristics of serious delinquents (i.e., age and gender) and where and when delinquency occurs (i.e., urban areas, nighttime, and summer months)
Because the measurement problems inherent in each source are consistent over time, the sources are reliable indicators of changes and fluctuations in delinquency rates
Student answers will vary
Answer to Question 2
Conformity. Conformity occurs when individuals both embrace conventional social goals and also have the means at their disposal to attain them. The conformist desires wealth and success and can obtain them through education and a high-paying job. In a balanced, stable society, this is the most common social adaptation. If a majority of its people did not practice conformity, the society would cease to exist.
Innovation. Innovation occurs when an individual accepts the goals of society but rejects or is incapable of attaining them through legitimate means. Many kids desire material goods and luxuries but lack the financial ability to attain them. The resulting conflict forces them to adopt innovative solutions to their dilemma: they steal, sell drugs, or extort money. Of the five adaptations, innovation is most closely associated with criminal behavior.
Ritualism. Ritualists are less concerned about accumulating wealth and instead gain pleasure from practicing traditional ceremonies regardless of whether they have a real purpose or goal. The strict set of manners and customs in religious orders, clubs, and college fraternities encourage and appeal to ritualists.
Retreatism. Retreatists reject both the goals and the means of society. Merton suggests that people who adjust in this fashion are in the society but not of it.. Included in this category are psychotics, psychoneurotics, chronic pariahs, outcasts, vagrants, vagabonds, tramps, chronic drunkards, and drug addicts.. Because such people are morally or otherwise incapable of using both legitimate and illegitimate means, they attempt to escape their lack of success by withdrawingeither mentally or physically.
Rebellion. Rebellion involves substituting an alternative set of goals and means for conventional ones. Revolutionaries who wish to promote radical change in the existing social structure and who call for alternative lifestyles, goals, and beliefs are engaging in rebellion. Rebellion may be a reaction against a corrupt and hated government or an effort to create alternate opportunities and lifestyles within the existing system.
Student responses will vary.
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