Hate Crimes

Essay # 100438

Criminology > Organized Crime Studies
Criminology > Public and Crime
Gender and Sexuality > Homosexuality

Hate Crimes

This paper discusses informed consent, deception and research into controversial subjects, focusing on hate crimes.

1,600 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper refers to an important topic of social science ethics in how research projects are presented to subjects regarding controversial subjects, in this case, attitudes towards the victims of hate crimes, as members of racial minorities, or as gay or lesbian victims. The writer notes that in C.J. Lyons' study of 2006, "Stigma or Sympathy? - Attribution of Fault to Hate Crime Victims and Offenders" one finds reference to other studies on similar questions indicating that racist attacks were more condemned than those affecting gays or lesbians. The writer points out that if Lyons' research is accurate, educated attitudes towards gays and lesbians are not as accepting as might be assumed. The writer maintains that, as this paper ventures, much depends on how questions are presented to study participants or what they understand a study's purpose or hypotheses to be.

Outline:
Introduction
Method, Observations and 'Findings'
Implications
Concluding Remarks

From the Paper:

"Lyons is a young scholar of crime and deviance, inter-group conflict, stratification and urban sociology whose work tends to be claimed by Social Psychology. His doctoral research centered on inter-racial hate crimes in Chicago. Of importance is how non-involved parties respond to incidents of hate crime and matters of contrast in reactions that brought into view lesser concern for hate crimes affecting homosexuals. It is implied that American attitudes have come to denounce racially motivated hate crimes, in direct sympathy for victims, while gay and lesbian victims may face indifference and further stigma. Perpetrators of crimes against persons of a different race were denounced but Lyons perceived that this was not as true when victims were gays or lesbians with far more questions regarding events, initial responses to insults, or how gay or lesbian victims engaged in disputes with persons to utter anti-gay remarks or threats."

Sample of Sources Used:

Herek, G.M. (1989) Hate Crimes against Lesbians and Gay Men - Issues for Research and Policy. American Psychologist, 44, 948-955. {attached abstract}
Lyons, C.J. (2006). Stigma or Sympathy? Attribution of Fault to Hate Crime Victims and Offenders. Social Psychology Quarterly, 69, 39-59.
Yang, A.S. (1997). The Polls-Trusts - Attitudes towards Homosexuality. Public Opinion Quarterly, 61, 477-507. {attached abstract}