Examines the Effect of Media and Religiosity on Perceived Seriousness of Sexual-Moral Crimes (A Study of Sample from Students of University of Kharazmi)

علوم اجتماعی دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد

Article 6, Volume 11, Issue 2 - Serial Number 24, March 2015, Pages 235-262   

Document Type: Scientific-Research

DOI: 10.22067/jss.v11i2.17936

Authors

Majid Rohandeh¹; Ahmad Jafari^{* 1}; Ruhollah Jahangiry Moghadam²

¹University of Khwarizmi

²Criminal Law and Criminology

Abstract

Studies of perceived seriousness of crimes indicate that; for society, how serious crimes? These studies also suggest that, given the important social values prevailing in various societies perceived the seriousness of crimes (particularly, sexual and moral crimes) is different. On this base, the present paper examines the effect of social factors affecting the seriousness and the importance of sexual-moral crimes (with emphasis on the role of religion and the media). In this survey, 380 students of University of Khwarizmi were selected as sample and data were collected by self-constructed questionnaire. In this study, Perceived seriousness of crimes was considered as the dependent variable. The findings show that respondents rank sexual and moral crimes after other crimes. Also, religion, media and the level of development of resident place have significant relation with perceived seriousness of sexual and moral offenses. Among other variables religiosity has most strong relation with perceived seriousness of sexual and moral offenses. Analysis shows that religiosity increases perceived seriousness of sexual and moral offenses. However, watching satellite TV, using internet and increasing level of development of resident place decrease the amount of perceived seriousness of sexual and moral offenses. The results interpreted based on Durkheim's theory of crime and constructionism approach.

Keywords

perceived seriousness of crimes; religiosity; sexual and moral offenses; mass media; development

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