Crime Story Salience

Term Paper # 99491

Communication
Communication > Journalism
Criminology

A look at what characteristics of crime stories cause them to be particularly salient to people.

978 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper attempts to determine why so many people are so interested in crime by analyzing the subject of crime stories in the news media. It focuses on the research of Steven Chernak who found some support for the hypothesis that the seriousness of a crime is an important predictor of how much attention it will get in the news.

From the Paper:

"Chernak commences his article with a comprehensive literature review. In this review, he reports on other studies into the subject of crime stories in the news media. Drawing on these studies, he points out that at least 25% of news space is allocated to crime stories. Of these, the crimes that receive the most attention are serious personal crimes, especially murder. On the other hand, the media pays scant attention to drug offences - although this does seem to be increasing. Researchers have also thrown some light on victim and defendant characteristics of crime stories. As Chernak notes, victims are most frequently portrayed as elderly or young, white, and male. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Cartwright, Barry. (2006). Introduction to Criminology. Study Guide.
Chernak, Steven. (1998). Predicting crime story salience: The effects of crime, victim, and defendant characteristics. Journal of Criminal Justice, 26(1): pp. 61-70.
Merton, Robert K. Social structure and anomie. American Sociological Review: pp. 672-682.
Sacco, V.F. and Kennedy, L.W. (2002). The Criminal Event: An Introduction to Criminology in Canada. (3rd ed.) Toronto: Thomson Nelson.