Variation In Violent Crime Research Articles

Local Political Structures and Violent Crime in U.S. Cities

To date, few criminological studies have explored the patterned ways in which local political structures might affect crime. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of local political structures on variations in violent crime rates in U.S. cities. A longitudinal data set collected from the same 280 cities in 1993, 1996, 2000, and 2003 is used to look into this question. Results from negative binomial fixed-effects panel analyses indicate that local government structures make only a limited contribution to variation in violent crime and that impact on violent crime is a conditioned effect in association with a relative deprivation index. Socioeconomic variables associated with relative deprivation consistently predict violent crime levels across U.S. cities, largely irrespective of the character of their local political structures.

Why is violent crime so common in the Americas?

Violent crimes, including murders, rapes, and assaults are substantially higher in the Americas than other regions of the world. This study investigated the role of single parenthood ratios in accounting for this regional variation in violent crime of 39 countries using INTERPOL data. It pitted the prediction of parental investment (calling for a delayed relationship between single parenthood and crime) against a mating aggression hypothesis that predicted a contemporaneous effect. Regression analyses found that current single parenthood ratios were strongly and consistently predictive of violent crimes whereas single parenthood ratios 18 years earlier were not and this conclusion remained following controls for income inequality and the population sex ratio. The results indicate that the regional difference in violent crime is best explained in terms of mating competition rather than reduced parental investment. Aggr. Behav. 32:1–9, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Single Parenthood as a Predictor of Cross-National Variation in Violent Crime

This article investigates the role of single parenthood ratios in predicting violent-crime rates (murders, rapes, assaults) of 39 countries and pitted the predictions of parental investment theory (calling for delayed effects) against those of mating aggression (calling for immediate effects). Regression analyses that controlled for masculinity of the population (sex ratio of 15-to 64-year-olds) and national wealth (log gross national product, GNP, per capita) found that current single parenthood ratios were strongly and consistently predictive of violent crimes, whereas single parenthood ratios 18 years ago were not. The results indicate that violent crime is best interpreted as a side effect of mating competition rather than as a function of reduced parental investment.

The Sex Ratio as a Predictor of Cross-National Variation in Violent Crime

Because low-sex-ratio societies are likely to have increased family conflict, and because family conflict increases aggression, it was predicted that these societies would have higher rates of violent crimes such as homicide, rape, and assaults. These predictions were supported in regression analyses of Interpol data for 70 countries that used a variety of controls for level of economic development, ecology (mean temperature, population density, population movement), marriage system, and geographical region. The results indicate that family variables can account for a substantial amount of the crossnational variance in violent crime.

CROSS‐NATIONAL VARIATION IN HOMICIDES: IS RACE A FACTOR?

J. P. Rushton has done research indicating that predominantly black nations have higher rates of violent crime than predominantly white nations, which have higher rates than predominantly Asian nations. He attributes these differences to constitutional, inheritable factors on which the races vary. This article discusses the numerous problems with Rushton's use of international crime data and analysis, foremost of which are his use of one‐way analysis of variance and lack of consideration of other causes of variation. Regression analysis‐including dummy race variables and other relevant explanatory variables‐indicates no significant association between race and cross‐national homicide rates, the best and probably only valid indicator of cross‐national variation in violent crime. This is the case whether reanalyzing Rush‐ton's data or analyzing properly adjusted, inspected, and selected homicide rates.

Measures of Polygyny in Humans

Measures of Polygyny in Humans