Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Permanent URI for this community

https://ir.ua.edu/handle/123456789/43

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 58

Religiosity, spirituality, and substance abuse
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2009) Allen, Thomas; Lo, Celia C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Religiosity and spirituality are concepts often considered means of reducing substance abuse and are employed in substance abuse recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Substance abuse is a serious social problem in the United States, a country in which religiosity and spirituality have been subject to change and re-definition, especially since the social turmoil of the 1960s. This study utilized data from the 2004 General Social Survey to examine the effects of religiosity and spirituality on substance abuse and to understand that social bonding may mediate the effects of religiosity on substance abuse outcomes. Four substance abuse outcomes were examined: lifetime crack use, lifetime injection drug use, drinking problem in the past year, and illegal substance use in the past year. A three-stage multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of religiosity and spirituality on substance abuse outcomes as well the hypothesized mediating status of social bonding. The results show that, with few exceptions, religiosity was negatively associated with substance abuse. Further, social bonding variables did slightly mediate the negative relationship between religiosity and substance abuse. As expected, spirituality increased the odds of some measures of substance abuse after religiosity was controlled. Policy implications and further research are discussed.
Drug trafficking and gun carrying: a co-occurring phenomenon among urban male youth
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2009) Allen, Andrea Nicole; Lo, Celia C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This study examines an often-observed, but rarely studied, phenomenon of drug trafficking and gun carrying behaviors among urban male youth, as much of social science research so far addresses the two behaviors separately. Attention is directed at delineating the social mechanisms, namely individual-level risk factors (poverty, family, and education), that lead youth to adopt code-related beliefs, which increase risks for engaging in drug trafficking and gun carrying. Results from the multivariate data analysis indicate that race and code-related beliefs are significant predictors of participation in co-occurring behaviors. Additionally, the impact of code-related beliefs on participation in co-occurring behaviors was not found to be different for different racial groups as suggested by Anderson. Little support was found for individual-level risk factors, as a whole, impacting participation in co-occurring behaviors. Implications of the findings are discussed with regard to the impact of racial status, as a risk factor, and code-related beliefs on participation in co-occurring behaviors by urban male youth.
Quantifying risk for sexual assault in prisons
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Pyle, Benjamin Schultz; Forde, David R.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Traditional studies of sexual assault in the prison system have focused upon identifying those inmates most likely to perpetrate the offence. However, little research has been conducted upon better identification of those inmates most at risk for sexual assault victimization. The purpose of this study was to analyze an existing dataset in order to evaluate if risk of sexual assault in prison could be quantified through qualitative data. Using secondary qualitative data of 409 males in 30 institutions in 10 states, theoretical risk-assessment indices were created based upon a review of the relevant literature. Reliability was then assessed of the constructed indices, and was followed by Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) to further construct reliable and valid risk-assessment indices. Results indicated that the identified variables could be used for quantification of risk assessment. By extracting quantifiable risk assessment from qualitative data, further insight was gleaned as how to more effectively construct risk assessment instruments to more accurately measure sexual assault in prisons.
Social locations, religiosity, and the co-occurrence of substance abuse and psychological distress
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Tenorio, Kimberly A.; Lo, Celia C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
With data from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the study examined effects of social locations upon the co-occurrence of substance abuse and psychological distress. Also explored was whether and how religiosity mediated the relationship between these social locations and co-occurring behaviors. Religiosity was used as an indicator of the four bonding elements of the social control theory, and was theorized to both neutralize stress and provide support among disadvantaged individuals. The general results indicate that men, White individuals, and those living in poverty were more likely to exhibit co-occurring drug abuse and psychological distress. In addition, co-occurring behaviors were less likely to be found among married individuals and those reporting higher levels of education. Furthermore, those individuals with higher levels of religiosity were generally less likely to exhibit co-occurring behaviors. Policy implications and further research needs are discussed.
A systematic review of surveys on public attitudes toward community notification for sex offenders
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Powell, Alisha; Lichtenstein, Bronwen; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Scholarly interest in sex offender community notification laws increased after Megan's Law of 1994 mandated public notification of registered sex offenders. This interest centered primarily on public attitudes toward sex offenders and community notification. The current study consisted of a systematic analysis of published studies on public attitudes towards sex offender community notification laws between 1994 and 2010. The analysis was operationalized through a series of searches performed through library databases and internet search engines and yielded a total of 14 studies over the study period. Nine of these studies related to public attitudes toward community notification and five studies were about professional attitudes toward community notification, or a combination of professional, community, and student attitudes toward community notification. The results indicated that 1) most community-based surveys used telephone sampling, 2) surveys of employees or community and student samples used mixed methods such as classroom questionnaires, internet surveys, or personal interviews, 3) members of the public support community notification regardless of location, gender, or methodology, 4) community notification was associated with greater fear and actions to protect self and children, 5) support for community notification was strong even if participants thought notification did not help reduce recidivism and 6) public attitudes toward community notification were similar across the United States 7) law enforcement professionals showed greater support for community notification than mental health professionals, and 8) public support for community notification may have intensified over time. The study concluded that community support for community notification in the US is widespread despite evidence to suggest that notification has done little to reduce recidivism for sex offending.
Gender and sentencing outcomes: does region matter?
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Holland, Melanie Marie; Prohaska, Ariane; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Previous research has acknowledged that a relationship exists between gender and sentencing outcomes. However, a gap exists in research regarding how regional differences affect this relationship. Some research suggests that gender ideologies differ by region within the United States. This predicted relationship can be explained using the paternalism theory, which states that women receive more leniency than men because they are perceived as needing more protection as a result of a patriarchal society. This study incorporates data from the 2008 Monitoring of Federal Criminal Sentences collected by the United States Sentencing Commission to analyze the relationship between region, gender, and sentence outcomes using the theoretical perspective of paternalism. This study found that women received leniency throughout the criminal justice system. The Deep South did exhibit more conservative values resulting in harsher sentencing for most of the stages. However, women from the Deep South did not appear to receive any more leniency than women not from the Deep South.
Social Influence in the Online Recruitment of Terrorists and Terrorist Sympathizers: Implications for Social Psychology Research
(2010-01) Lankford, Adam; Guadagno, Rosanna E.; Muscanell, Nicole L.; Okdie, Bradley M.; McCallum, Debra M.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Since its inception, people have constantly found new and unexpected ways to communicate via the Internet. One such use has been the recruitment of new members by terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda (Riedel, 2007). Al Qaeda uses social influence techniques to induce individuals to become terrorist sympathizers (Burton & Stewart, 2008; Ger wehr & Daly, 2005; Al-Saleh, 2007). By starting with simple online requests and then gradually requesting increasing commitments to the cause, a terrorist organization may influence its targets to support far more extreme ideologies than they otherwise would. As proposed by self-perception theory (Bem, 1972), the new converts may form increasingly radical attitudes to be consistent with their increasingly radical behavior. At the same time, enhancing the salience of the social identity of group membership may also amplify the influence of such recruiting tactics. Implications for social influence research on online terrorist recruiting are discussed.
Requirements and Facilitators for Suicide Terrorism: An Explanatory Framework for Prediction and Prevention
(2011) Lankford, Adam; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
When it comes to explaining, predicting, and preventing suicide terrorism, there is a lot more important work to be done. This paper draws on the most recent evidence about where suicide terrorism occurs and why to propose a basic explanatory framework. Taking a bottom-up approach, it first identifies the minimum requirements for a suicide terrorism attack, and then outlines additional facilitators for the deadliest attacks and most prolonged suicide terrorism campaigns. Next, it applies these variables to clarify popular misunderstandings about foreign occupation as the primary cause of suicide terrorism. Finally, it shows how security officials can use this framework to develop a series of short term and long term countermeasures and begin to reduce the prevalence of suicide terrorism worldwide.
From Columbine to Palestine: A comparative analysis of rampage shooters in the United States and volunteer suicide bombers in the Middle East
(Pergamon, 2011) Lankford, Adam; Hakim, Nayab; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE); Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Previous research comparing rampage shooters in the U.S. and volunteer suicide bombers in the Middle East appears to be virtually non-existent. When these two types of suicidal killers have been mentioned in the same context, it has primarily been to dismiss any possible connections. Rampage shooters are generally assumed to be mentally unbalanced, while suicide bombers are seen as extreme, but rational, political actors. However, this review explores the possibility that the primary differences between the two types of killers are cultural, not individual, and that in terms of their underlying psychology and motivation, they are actually quite similar. In both cases, substantial evidence indicates that these perpetrators of murder-suicide share many of the following characteristics: (1) they had troubled childhoods, (2) they lived in oppressive social environments, (3) they suffered from low self-esteem, (4) they were triggered by a personal crisis, (5) they were seeking revenge, and (6) they were seeking fame and glory. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
School resource officers and school incidents: a quantitative study
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2011) Stevenson, Quanda Watson; Williams, Jimmy John; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
In the United States and abroad, violence is still plaguing our schools. During the 1990s, many schools experienced sporadic but violent occurrences of school violence (Ismaili, 2011; Yogan, 2000). Although, most violent school acts are random and school crime is down, school incidents are now a concern (Rogers, 2004; Ismaili, 2011). As a result, school incidents have become one of the major concerns of students, parents, school administrators and law enforcement. Due to increases in school incidents, many preventive programs have been created. One of the most widely used techniques for preventing school incidents are school resource officers (SROs) (Devine, 1996; Rogers, 2004; Theriot, 2009). According to the crime control model, the SRO as a law enforcement agent should control and thereby reduce routine and daily occurrences of crimes in schools; which are also called school incidents. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of SROs this study examined their ability to control thereby reduce school incidents in a total of 18 middle and high schools. Overall, this study evaluated SROs in these schools by comparing the means of the number of school incidents that occurred before and after the placement of SROs. The analyses showed that having an SRO did not decrease the total number of school incidents reported two years following their implementation. The findings also showed middle schools experiencing more occurrences of school incidents; especially assaults and weapons then high schools in regard to educational levels.
An Analysis of Sexual Assault in the U.S. Military, 2004-2009
(2012-09-19) Lankford, Adam; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
From 2004 to 2009, U.S. military reports of sexual assault increased by 90%. Whether this reflects a real increase in sexual assaults, or just an increase in reporting, the Department of Defense has committed to reducing the prevalence of these brutal crimes. In order to better understand the problem of sexual assault and how it can be addressed, it is important to put this criminal behavior in its proper context. Previous research has identified several key reasons why military personnel are more likely to commit sexual assault during periods of war than they are in peacetime, including heightened (1) desires for power, (2) desires for sexual fulfillment, and (3) beliefs that there will be no consequences. This paper reviews this literature and presents initial evidence that these same factors may be contributing to the U.S. military’s current problem with sexual assault. Preliminary findings suggest that in the post 9/11 world, service members have increasingly struggled with compensatory desires for power, sexual frustrations abroad, and overly permissive environments where swift and serious punishments for bad behavior are far too rare.
Epicrim and child sexual abuse: a public health theory for a criminal justice epidemic
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Skvortsova, Tanya; Lanier, Mark; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is increasingly described by government agencies and academic commentators as a public health problem. A range of theories has been put forward to explain different aspects, or perspectives, of child sexual abuse. These include free-standing theories such as implicit theories, rational choice, routine activities and social learning theories. Integrated theories have also been developed in an attempt to explain the individual actions of those engaging in CSA and the social ecology within which it takes place. Epicrim is an emerging criminological theory that seeks to re-conceptualize crime as a public health issue and adoptsf a cross-disciplinary approach that is rooted in public health strategies. Here, epicrim was applied to the issue of CSA to see whether the theory is effective at explaining its commission and consequences across both individual and societal levels. Existing theories were integrated into the resulting epicrimiological model, where appropriate. A number of existing and proposed policies aimed at preventing or addressing CSA were evaluated against the resulting epicriminological model of CSA. Policy reform suggestions were made where deficits were identified.
Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and HIV law among probationers and parolees in Alabama
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Barber, Brad Wayne; Lichtenstein, Bronwen; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic recently moved into its fourth decade in the U.S. In an attempt to combat this epidemic, lawmakers have implemented HIV criminalization laws, prevention programs, and treatment options in order to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. The number of prosecutions for violating HIV disclosure laws and the number of states implementing these laws continue to increase. However, the public health community is concerned that HIV disclosure laws do not reduce HIV transmission. This thesis seeks to examine the effects of HIV criminalization on the HIV testing and treatment by examining HIV knowledge and attitudes among probationers and parolees in Alabama. A self- administered 32 item survey was administered to 200 probationers and parolees in the Birmingham Probation and Parole Office for this purpose. The study found that (1) probationers and parolees are quite knowledgeable about HIV despite their lack of access to HIV prevention programs, (2) probationers and parolees who attend HIV prevention classes are more likely to perceive themselves as being at risk for contracting HIV compared to those who did not attend HIV prevention classes, and (3) HIV disclosure laws are perceived to be a barrier to HIV testing. These results suggest that probationers and parolees would benefit from HIV prevention classes, and that they are skeptical about the benefits of HIV laws to reduce transmission.
Assessing the innocence and victimization of child soldiers
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Brons, Kathryn; Lankford, Adam; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
To date, the majority stance taken by researchers in the field of criminology has been that child soldiers should be treated as innocent victims of war. While there have been some authors who have examined whether this label should be attached to the child, none have firmly taken the minority side in this debate. International law disregards the criminal acts against humanity committed by a child soldier and instead criminalizes the adults who either abducted the child for military duty or allowed the child to willingly volunteer for the armed services. This thesis proposes that many child soldiers are not innocent victims, but they are instead perpetrators of violence. In doing so, definitions of `innocent' and `victim' are called upon to show how many child soldiers are neither of these things and are able to take advantage of the International Criminal Court because of the ambiguity in international law. Labeling theory is used as the theoretical framework for this thesis. By labeling child soldiers as innocent victims, it has an adverse effect that allows child soldiers to continue committing criminal acts.
Assessing findings from the fast track study Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group
(Springer, 2013) Conduct Problems Prevention Res; Bierman, Karen L.; Coie, John D.; Dodge, Kenneth A.; Greenberg, Mark T.; Lochman, John E.; McMahon, Robert J.; Pinderhughes, Ellen E.; Pennsylvania State University; Pennsylvania State University - University Park; Duke University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; University of Washington; University of Washington Seattle
The aim of this paper is to respond to the Commentary, "Reassessing Findings from the Fast Track Study: Problems of Methods and Analysis" provided by E. Michael Foster (Foster, this issue) to our article "Fast Track Intervention Effects on Youth Arrests and Delinquency" (Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group 2010, Journal of Experimental Criminology, 6, 131-157). Our response begins with a description of the mission and goals of the Fast Track project, and how they guided the original design of the study and continue to inform outcome analyses. Then, we respond to the Commentary's five points in the order they were raised. We agree with the Commentary that efforts to prevent crime and delinquency are of high public health significance because the costs of crime and delinquency to society are indeed enormous. We believe that rigorous, careful intervention research is needed to accumulate evidence that informs prevention programs and activities. We have appreciated the opportunity to respond to the Commentary and to clarify the procedures and results that we presented in our paper on Fast Track effects on youth arrests and delinquency. Our response has clarified the framework for the number of statistical tests made, has reiterated the randomization process, has supported our tests for site-by-intervention effects, has provided our rationale for assuming missing at random, and has clarified that the incarceration variable was not included as a covariate in the hazard analyses. We stand by our conclusion that random assignment to Fast Track had a positive impact in preventing juvenile arrests, and we echo our additional caveat that it will be essential to determine whether intervention produces any longer-term effects on adult arrests as the sample transitions into young adulthood. We also appreciate the opportunity for open scientific debate on the values and risks associated with multiple analyses in long-term prevention program designs such as Fast Track. We believe that, once collected, completed longitudinal intervention datasets should be fully used to understand the impact, process, strengths, and weaknesses of the intervention approach. We agree with the Commentary that efforts to prevent crime and delinquency are of high public health significance because the costs of crime and delinquency to society are indeed enormous. As a result, we argue that it is important to balance the need to maintain awareness and caution regarding potential risks in the design or approach that may confound interpretation of findings, in the manner raised by the Commentator, with the need for extended analyses of the available data so we can better understand over time how antisocial behavior and violence can be effectively reduced.
Community attitudes toward cyberbullying: the victim's age & sex matter
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) McBride, Brittany; Seigfried-Spellar, Kathryn C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study was the first to examine community attitudes of cyberbullying through vignettes, or hypothetical cyberbullying scenarios. This study had four specific aims: (1) to examine whether community attitudes of cyberbullying are biased depending on the victims' sex and age, (2) to examine whether community attitudes of cyberbullying differ depending on the type of cyberbullying incident (e.g., YouTube© video, Facebook© post), (3) to examine whether individuals cognitive dispositions effect their attitudes toward cyberbullying, (4) to examine whether individuals type and frequency of media exposure effects their attitudes toward cyberbullying, (5) to determine whether respondent's thought the cyberbully's First Amendment rights were being violated or not, (6) to examine if the demographics (e.g., sex or being a parent) of the respondent effect their sensitivity levels in each vignette. This study was conducted online using an Internet-based survey, which targeted respondents over the age of 19 located in the United States. Respondents were selected using online social media sites, chat rooms, and discussion forums. A 3 x 4 mixed-subjects design with 12 conditions was used, meaning that the survey included a series of three randomized vignettes and questions regarding community attitudes of the hypothetical scenarios provided. Results suggested that females are in general more sensitive to cyberbullying victims than males. Second, respondents were more sensitive to younger victims of cyberbullying. Third, males were more likely to believe the cyberbully's First Amendment rights had been violated when compared to females. Fourth, parents are overall more sensitive to victims of cyberbullying. Fifth, individuals who have low social values are less sensitive to victims of cyberbullying. Lastly, no relationship was found between media exposure and sensitivity levels. Overall, this study revealed numerous statistically significant findings, but with this type of research there are always limitations, which will be discussed.
A Comparative Analysis of Suicide Terrorists and Rampage, Workplace, and School Shooters in the United States From 1990 to 2010
(Sage, 2013) Lankford, Adam; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This study presents results from the first combined quantitative assessment and comparative analysis of suicide terrorists and rampage, workplace, and school shooters who attempt suicide. Findings suggest that in the United States from 1990 to 2010, the differences between these offenders (N = 81) were largely superficial. Prior to their attacks, they struggled with many of the same personal problems, including social marginalization, family problems, work or school problems, and precipitating crisis events. Ultimately, patterns among all four types of offenders can assist those developing security policy, conducting threat assessments, and attempting to intervene in the lives of at-risk individuals.
Law enforcement on social network sites: a course assessment
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2014) Martin, Rita Allyse; Seigfried-Spellar, Kathryn C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study was a pilot study intended to add to the growing literature on the use of social network sites (SNS) in investigations by law enforcement (LE) personnel. The study focused exclusively on graduates of the National Computer Forensic Institute's (NCFI) Online Social Networking (OSN) course. The study consisted of an Internet-based survey instructing respondents to evaluate their understanding of two items: (1) learning outcomes presented in the course and (2) their investigative practices since completing the course. Forty-two respondents completed the survey. The findings indicated the course is aiding law enforcement in learning and adopting SNS equipped techniques, but there is some room for improvement. Specifically, respondents displayed a lack of understanding on how to use some software programs such as FastStone Capture and On The Fly Encryption (OTFE), both important tools for investigation, apprehension, and legal proceedings. The findings emphasize the continued popularity of using SNS in investigations. Further implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future research in this area are presented.
Exploiting the digital frontier: hacker typology and motivation
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2014) McBrayer, John Charles; Seigfried-Spellar, Kathryn C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study combined the hacker taxonomies presented by Loper (2000), Parker (1998), Rege-Patwardhan (2009), and Rogers (1999; 2006; personal communication) and proposed a simplified taxonomy which included: script kiddie, cyberpunk, password cracker, internal, and old guard hacker categories. Each category was identified by its characteristic computer deviant behaviors and analyzed against sex and seven motivational factors (i.e., addiction, curiosity, excitement/entertainment, money, power/status/ego, peer recognition, ideological, and revenge). The study had two specific aims: (1) to explore which motivations were associated with each specific computer deviant behavior, and (2) to determine if more males than females are engaging in computer deviant behavior. The study targeted computer deviants from specific websites, which discussed or promoted computer deviant behavior (e.g., hacking). Using a snowball sampling method, 120 subjects completed an anonymous, self-report questionnaire that included items measuring computer deviance, motivational factors, and demographics. Relationships were identified using zero-order correlation, then a backwards (Wald) binary logistic regression was conducted to determine the predictive ability of motivational factors on the different categories of computer deviancy. None of the computer deviant behavior specific hypotheses were fully supported. The expectation that more males would be computer deviants than females was not fully supported since males were more likely to be script kiddies, cyberpunks, and old guard hackers compared to females. The findings suggested that these computer deviant behaviors overlapped in both motivational factors and the behaviors themselves. The study found that script kiddie, password cracker, and old guard hacker behaviors were all only motivated by addiction. Cyberpunk behavior was found to be motivated by financial, peer recognition, and revenge motivations, and internal computer deviant behavior was found to be related to financial and peer recognition motivations. Overall, the current study suggested that there was significant motivational and behavioral overlap between computer deviant categories, and not all computer deviants were predominately male. The author concluded that using a strict computer hacker taxonomy may not accurately reflect the true nature of computer deviant behavior.
Rape myth acceptance in the Deep South
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Rocker, Dixie; Prohaska, Ariane; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study explores the relationship between rape myth acceptance and masculinity in the Deep South. Rape myth acceptance has been studied in great detail, with many researchers asserting that the greatest predictor for rape myth acceptance is gender. However, no previous research has examined how southern masculinity is related to rape myth acceptance. In this study, I analyzed the relationships between masculinity and rape myth acceptance in the South using the updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA), which measures belief systems that endorse a culture of sexual violence (Payne, Lonsway, & Fitzgerald, 1999; McMahon & Farmer, 2011) and the Conformity to Masculinity Norms Inventory (CMNI), which measures men’s conformity to masculine norms (Burns & Mahalik, 2008), controlling for all relevant variables. Results from this study do not support a relationship between masculinity, rape myth acceptance, and the Deep South. The current study contends that future research needs to develop a specific and comprehensive measure of southern masculinity that captures what it truly means to be a man from the Deep South.

Browse

Browsing Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice by Issue Date

Results Per Page

Sort Options