Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Criminal Justice and Criminology
Date of Award
12-2003
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Larry S. Miller
Committee Members
David W. Holleran III, Michael C. Braswell
Abstract
This study measured police officers perception of the validity of General Theory of Crime. Using a sample of 117 officers and an adapted version of the Grasmick et al. (1993) self-control scale, this study measures the level of agreement officers exhibit that low self-control traits are present in property and violent offenders. Measurement is also performed to determine variation in officers agreement based on the personal characteristics gender, age, education, experience, and rank.
Findings indicate officers show agreement with self-control items across the six dimensions of self control traits, as well as significant variation in agreement with the property offender self-control scale based on gender. Analysis on individual items of the property and violent offender self-control scales indicates significant variation in agreement on several items based on personal characteristics. Conclusions demonstrate the need for further studies measuring police perception of offenders and the validity of criminological theories. Limitations of this study are also discussed.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Giesler, William Jaison, "Police Officers' Perception of the Validity of the General Theory of Crime." (2003). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 817. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/817
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.