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Dodge, M., Bosick, S., &, Van Antwert, V. (2003). Do Men and Women Perceive White Collar and Street Crime Differently? Exploring Gender Differences in the Perceptions pf Seriousness, Motives, and Punishments. Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 29 (3), 399-415

Summary: This article examines how public perceptions of white-collar crime have shifted from indifference to awareness based on recent, highly publicized corporate collapses and Ponzi schemes. This research explores perceptions of white-collar crime with a focus on gender. Participants (N = 900) read one of six crime scenarios involving either a white-collar crime (Ponzi scheme, embezzlement, corporate crime) or a street crime (auto theft, burglary, prostitution) committed by a male or female offender. Respondents then rated the behavior on seriousness, harshness of punishment, and offender motivation (i.e., greed and stress). Overall, the results support previously observed patterns showing that citizens see white-collar crime as a serious societal problem. Ponzi schemes are seen as more serious than the three street crimes. The findings also show differences between male and female respondents on the issues of offense seriousness, punishment, and offender motivation, but attitudes toward offenders’ gender are more ambiguous.

Questions to consider:

1. Why is it essential to understand the different view on white collar crime by males and females?
    
2. Based on the findings of this study, which type of crime was viewed most seriously? Was this finding surprising?
    
3. How did attitudes towards offense, punishment, and offending motivation vary by gender?
    
4. What were the findings regarding attitudes towards offenders gender?
    

Piquero, N. L., Carmichael, S., & Piquero, A. R. (2008). Research note: Assessing the perceived seriousness of white-collar and street crimes. Crime and Delinquency, 54(2), 291-312.

Summary: The paper examines the controversy surrounding the ranking of crime seriousness of white-collar crimes relative to street crimes, with early research suggesting the general public is indifferent to crimes of the elite, whereas more recent research indicates that the public thinks certain types of white-collar crime are serious. Building on prior research limitations and using data from a national random probability sample, this study compares the seriousness ratings of a number of white-collar and street crimes and examines the factors that distinguish seriousness ratings across the crime types. The analyses indicate that certain types of white-collar crimes are ranked as more serious than street crimes and that a limited set of demographic correlates distinguish seriousness ratings across the two crime types. Future research directions are outlined

Questions to consider:

1. Why is it important to understand public perceptions of white-collar offending?
    
2. According to the findings of this study, did the public view white-collar crime as less than street crime?
    
3. Which variables were associated with an individual’s perception of the seriousness of white-collar crime?