This study examines public perceptions about the influence of crime films on crime in Punjab, Pakistan. It examines if public perceives there is a positive association between crimes viewed in Hollywood, Bollywood, and Lollywood films and real crimes in Punjab. The researchers reviewed literature on social cognition theory, and crime and criminality in films. They prepared an online survey questionnaire for data collection through social media during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The reliability of the instrument was determined through Cronbach’s alpha test. Descriptive analysis helped in understanding demographics of the participants. Pearson Product Moment Correlation test and Independent Sample t-tests were conducted to compare and examine the effects of Hollywood, Bollywood and Lollywood crime thrillers on viewers in Punjab. The results indicated 72 percent of variance in Crime Fascination, Inspiration, Learning, and Urge to Commit a Crime after viewing films. The study found that the public perceives Hollywood, Bollywood and Lollywood crime thrillers inspire and increase crime fascination and an urge to commit a crime in viewers. They believe the impact of Bollywood crime thrillers is stronger than the impact of Hollywood crime thrillers on viewers. Women learn how to commit a crime faster than men while film crimes more easily inspire men than women and they experience a greater urge to commit a crime.
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