Correlates of Criminal Behavior
A great deal of criminological research has been focused on trying to uncover the various factors associated with criminal behavior. From this literature, a long list of factors have been identified that may be consistent predictors of criminal behaviors such as gender, age, and race.
Correlates of crime often seem spurious, meaning that while the factor is associated with crime it does not cause crime. The classic example of a spurious relationship is the association between ice cream sales and violent crime. As ice cream sales increase, so does violent crime. For the most part, nobody believes that ice cream sales cause crime. The most common explanation might be that the two are both the result of some other factor, such as the season of the year. In summer months, for example, people are more likely to eat ice cream and, at the same time, they are also likely to engage in outdoor activities that may place them at much greater risk for being victimized.
For this Discussion, select a high-profile crime from the media such as those involving O. J. Simpson, Scott Peterson, Aileen Wuornos, or Casey Anthony. Think about the gender, age, and race of the accused offender and whether these correlates are consistent or inconsistent with the literature related to those correlates of crime.
With these thoughts in mind: Post a brief description of the high-profile crime you selected. Identify the gender, age, and race of the accused offender. Then explain how the gender, age, and race of the accused offender, as well as other known correlates of crime, may be consistent or inconsistent with the literature. Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.