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.