IT’S THE HARMFULNESS, STUPID: IMAGES OF GOD AND THE ROLE OF CRIME PERCEPTIONS IN PERCEIVED CRIME SERIOUSNESS AND
RECOMMENDED SENTENCING
Open Access
Author:
Billinger, Anthony John
Graduate Program:
Crime, Law and Justice
Degree:
Master of Arts
Document Type:
Master Thesis
Date of Defense:
None
Committee Members:
Paul Amato, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor Paul Amato, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Keywords:
religion crime perceptions sentencing
Abstract:
Perceived crime harmfulness and wrongfulness are used to predict perceived crime seriousness and recommended sentencing. Additionally, the impact of religiosity, biblical literalism, and images of God are examined. Findings suggest that the public uses both perceived harmfulness and wrongfulness in constructing seriousness; however crime seriousness is only predictive of recommended sentencing when crimes result in personal harm to the victim. A loving image of God is associated with increased wrongfulness and harmfulness ratings, while an authoritative image of God and biblical literalism only affect perceived harmfulness.