The effect of race on perceived threats plays a significant role in society. However, there stands much debate on the matter. It is imperative to question the effects of race on perceived threats, to better understand how minorities are treated in respects to housing, education, and even punishment. By examining this inquiry, one may hope to gain knowledge and understanding of by what means race effects perceived threats and how those effects not only bring challenges to subgroups, but furthermost society. The most efficient way to acknowledge this subject is by defining the question at hand, studying examination on the matter, and drawing supposition from findings.
What is the effect of race on perceived threats? To understand and evaluate …show more content…
Accordingly, prejudice is more prevalent where sources of threat are highest, notably when and where the minority population is relatively large and where there exists competition for limited social sources, such as jobs.” (1255).
One article that studies this question is “Group Threat and Social Control: Race, Perceptions of Minorities and the Desire to Punish,” written by Ryan D. King and Darren Wheelock. King and Wheelock stated,
“We take advantage of new survey data on the topics of race, perceptions of minorities and attitudes towards punishment among adults residing in the United States. These data, taken from the American Mosaic Survey, are used to examine the association between perceptions of African Americans as threats and punitive sentiments. Further, we test if perceived threat explains the statistical association between aggregate demographics and punitive attitudes, a relationship proffered by theories emphasizing minority group threat,” …show more content…
This was tested by asking respondents if they strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, or strongly agree to the following statements: “The courts are too lenient,” “We need tougher prison sentences for repeat offenders,” and “A person convicted of murder should receive the death penalty.” (King and Wheelock 1262). Then, the independent variables were measured: aggregate threat, perceived threat, violent crime and fear of crime. First, aggregate threat was measured by economic conditions, using the percent unemployed in the country. Second, perceived threat was measured by responses to the question, “Do African Americans pose a greater threat to public order and safety than other groups, a lesser threat or about the same as other groups?” (King and Wheelock 1263). Lastly, violent crime and fear of crime was measured by asking respondents, “how safe they feel walking alone in their neighborhood at night” (King and Wheelock 1264). This information was gathered and analyzed by using random effects regression models. The analysis found an association between punitive beliefs and cumulative unemployment rates. It also found that changes in population size, social conditions, unemployment rates, and perceptions of minorities as threats all play an important role when understanding the desire to punish more
What is the effect of race on perceived threats? To understand and evaluate …show more content…
Accordingly, prejudice is more prevalent where sources of threat are highest, notably when and where the minority population is relatively large and where there exists competition for limited social sources, such as jobs.” (1255).
One article that studies this question is “Group Threat and Social Control: Race, Perceptions of Minorities and the Desire to Punish,” written by Ryan D. King and Darren Wheelock. King and Wheelock stated,
“We take advantage of new survey data on the topics of race, perceptions of minorities and attitudes towards punishment among adults residing in the United States. These data, taken from the American Mosaic Survey, are used to examine the association between perceptions of African Americans as threats and punitive sentiments. Further, we test if perceived threat explains the statistical association between aggregate demographics and punitive attitudes, a relationship proffered by theories emphasizing minority group threat,” …show more content…
This was tested by asking respondents if they strongly disagree, somewhat disagree, somewhat agree, or strongly agree to the following statements: “The courts are too lenient,” “We need tougher prison sentences for repeat offenders,” and “A person convicted of murder should receive the death penalty.” (King and Wheelock 1262). Then, the independent variables were measured: aggregate threat, perceived threat, violent crime and fear of crime. First, aggregate threat was measured by economic conditions, using the percent unemployed in the country. Second, perceived threat was measured by responses to the question, “Do African Americans pose a greater threat to public order and safety than other groups, a lesser threat or about the same as other groups?” (King and Wheelock 1263). Lastly, violent crime and fear of crime was measured by asking respondents, “how safe they feel walking alone in their neighborhood at night” (King and Wheelock 1264). This information was gathered and analyzed by using random effects regression models. The analysis found an association between punitive beliefs and cumulative unemployment rates. It also found that changes in population size, social conditions, unemployment rates, and perceptions of minorities as threats all play an important role when understanding the desire to punish more