Prime-time Campus Crime

BY: MICHELLE MANNINO

Prime-time Campus Crime

Overview

• Purpose of Research• Background information• Research Gap• Methods used• Conclusion

Why Do We Care?

Purpose: To see how crime-related media viewership affects how college students perceive their campus police.

CBS News: “For their millions of loyal viewers, TV crime shows are appointment television . . . not to be missed. You COULD even say they're TO DIE FOR.”

Crime-related television is amongst the most popular, and has an impact on how we see police officers in charge of our safety.

Prior Investigations

Research by Eschholz, Mallard, & Flynn, 2004 explains the importance of studying crime-related programs. Social construction of crime—how audience

members socially construct the world around them.

College students will socially construct the society in which they live in (Campus).

Virginia Tech Shootings- April 2007

Missing Evidence: Research Gap

Little research done on how crime related media viewership effects students of higher learning.

College students live & work in an atmosphere that is unique.

Looking at college students who view crime-related media can give insight on how they may interpret the work done within their campus police dept.

Theoretical Grounding

Cultivation Theory by George Gerbner Number of hours of viewing TV can lead audience

members to develop a “paranoia”.

Heavy Viewers (the television type): 4 + hours/day

Resonance Real-life encounters resonate within a person.

Mean/Scary World A developed mistrust of others because of cynical ideals. Mistrust in Law Enforcement if TV reinforces

corruption.

Methods

Quantitative SurveyAllows respondents to be anonymous and

thorough with responses.H1: The amount of crime-related media watched

will determine college students’ perceptions of police, as well as their campus police and the amount of criminal activity they are involved with.

IV’s DV’s-heavy vs. light viewers - Percieved activity of Campus Police

- Campus involvement -Level of Trust in Campus PD

- Class level

Conclusion:

There’s a gap with studying college students and how their media consumption may affect perceptions of campus police.

It’s important to understand because college students watch crime shows, and have contact with campus police.

Goals- Look further into the Virginia Tech shootings. Finalize details about different types of crime media.

Works Cited

Tracy, S. (16 M). Cbsnews.com. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-6488704.html

Eschholz, S., Mallard, M., & Flynn, S. (2004). Images of prime time justice: A content analysis of “NYPD Blue" and “Law and Order". Retrieved from http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol10is3/eschholz.pdf

Griffin, E. (2009). A first look at communication theory. (Seventh ed., Vol. 7). New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages.