Representative series of studies by the Center for Criminological Research Saxony provides information on the significance of political orientation for the assessment of forms of punishment, the penal system and white-collar crime
The Center for Criminological Research Saxony e. V. (ZKFS), an affiliated institute of Chemnitz University of Technology (TUC), is conducting a longitudinal study that is unique in Germany as part of the so-called “Panel on Perceptions of Crime and Offenders(PaWaKS)” and is presenting new figures with the current reports . For the first time, the causes and consequences of crime perception and fear of crime have been examined in such a large sample on a nationally representative basis. The current series of studies is available online and is based on a survey of around 2,000 people in spring 2023.
A key finding of the researchers is that the perceived frequency of crime bears no reliable relationship to crime statistics. The researchers identified the fear of becoming a victim of crime as an important driver of this distorted perception. In particular, respondents who classified themselves as politically right of center tended to have a heightened perception of crime. In addition, the research team found a lack of trust in the justice system and its institutions, which also leads to a distorted perception of the severity of sentences. These were predominantly assessed as too low by the respondents, regardless of the specific offense. The data also revealed a general support for harsher punishments regardless of their benefit.
Better understanding of the social dynamics associated with crime
“Our current reports focus on the development of crime perceptions and the attitudes of the German population towards various forms of crime and punishment,” summarizes the Director of the ZKFS and Professor of Social Psychology at the TUC, Prof. Dr. Frank Asbrock. “The study of these aspects not only enables a better understanding of the social dynamics associated with crime, but also provides valuable insights into the possibilities for shaping preventive measures and political decisions in order to promote safety and citizens’ sense of security,” Asbrock continues.
In addition to the perception of crime, the ZKFS researchers have investigated the population’s views on various forms of punishment, how those affected by prejudicial crime deal with these experiences and how political attitudes are related to the perception of white-collar crime and prisons.
Interviewees who classified themselves as politically right of center tended to have a greater perception of crime
In their study, the researchers came to the conclusion that the perception of crime in Germany and other countries does not go hand in hand with the actual development of crime. For example, the data showed that personal preferences for harsh punishments and a lack of trust in the justice system had a significant influence on the perception of crime. Political attitudes also played a role. According to this, respondents who classified themselves politically to the right of the center and held corresponding views were more likely to have an increased perception of crime.
“Feelings of insecurity lead to fear – and fear is a bad advisor. We want to help make the debate about crime and criminals less emotional and more fact-based,” says Dr. Deliah Bolesta, head of the PaWaKS project, explaining one of the project’s key findings and aspirations
Harsher penalties desired regardless of benefit
Jennifer Führer, Dr. Deliah Bolesta and Prof. Dr. Frank Asbrock from the ZKFS show in their analysis of attitudes towards various forms of punishment that the majority of the German population would like to see harsher punishments for criminal behaviour – regardless of how effective these are, for example in terms of resocialization. Specifically, respondents preferred custodial sentences to open prison or fines. Another finding is that people with a greater need for punishment also feel more fear of crime.
“Harsher sentences have no positive impact on recidivism or resocialization,” says Jennifer Führer. “Rather, our research results show the need for increased education among the population in order to communicate the positive aspects of alternatives to imprisonment and to reduce the need for punishment and the fear of crime,” Jennifer Führer continues.
With regard to the assessment of white-collar crime – in particular corruption – the researchers involved in PaWaKS at the ZKFS were initially able to determine a predominantly uniform condemnation by the respondents. However, they also found a correlation between political orientation and the degree of condemnation. For example, respondents who classified themselves on the political right rated these crimes as less reprehensible.
Perception of crime is based on fear, need for punishment and lack of trust in the justice system
An important finding of this study is that the perception of crime does not go hand in hand with the actual development. Despite a falling crime rate, an increase is assumed, which is accompanied by a corresponding fear of crime. Jennifer Führer and Dr. Deliah Bolesta, research assistants at the ZKFS, and Dr. Henrik Andersen, research assistant at the Institute of Sociology at the TUC, also confirm this finding in the current PaWaKS report. They can also show that the perception of crime is due to the avoidance of possible dangers (conative fear of crime), the personal need for harsh punishments and a lack of trust in the justice system. Respondents who place themselves politically to the right of the center are also more likely to have an increased perception of crime.
Fewer reports and less trust in the justice system among victims of bias-motivated violence
Another report investigated violence motivated by prejudice, i.e. violence based on the perpetrator’s prejudices. Kristin Weber and Rowenia Bender, research assistants at the ZKFS, were able to show that around 17% of respondents had experienced (indirect or direct) violence due to their own ethnicity/religion, almost 16% due to their sexual orientation and almost one in five respondents due to their migration background. Kristin Weber draws attention to an important finding: “Those affected are significantly less likely to file a complaint than victims of many other crimes and they also show less trust in the police and justice system.”
The further to the political right, the more lenient on white-collar crime
The ZKFS researchers also investigated how white-collar crime is perceived in comparison to other crimes. They came to the conclusion that white-collar crime, in particular corruption, is viewed as highly reprehensible by the German population. However, there is a correlation with political orientation: respondents who placed themselves to the right of the center rated these crimes as less reprehensible.
The further to the political right, the less interest in better prison conditions
In their part of the PaWaKS study, Dr. Aaron Bielejewski and Anika Radewald analyzed the image of the prison system in Germany, about which very little is known to the public. This showed that the current condition of prisons in Germany was rated as relatively good. There were clear differences in the assessment of prison conditions. The further to the right the respondents placed themselves, the less they were in favor of improving the activities and support offered to prisoners.
For further information, please contact Dr. Deliah Bolesta, head of the PaWaKS study at the Centre for Criminological Research Saxony e. V., phone +49 371 335638-32, e-mail deliah.bolesta@zkfs.de
Background: PaWaKS study
In the PaWaKS study, a sample representative of the German adult population(N = 5,174) is surveyed several times over a period of three years on their perception of crime and various other topics. Data from three survey periods is currently available for 1,925 people. This makes it possible for the first time to analyze the causes and consequences of crime perception and fear of crime in such a large sample in Germany in a controlled manner.
Background: ZKFS
The Center for Criminological Research Saxony (ZKFS) has been an affiliated institute of Chemnitz University of Technology since December 2021, making it the first social science institution to receive this status. The ZKFS is the first independent research institution for criminology in Eastern Germany and conducts basic and practice-oriented criminological research with a social science focus. To this end, it is essential to continuously collect data on crime trends and how these are perceived by the general population and in public discourse.
Matthias Fejes
05.10.2023
