Public Opinion and Criminal Justice Policy: Theory and Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 405-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin T. Pickett
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Capital Punishment ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Opinion Change ◽  
Dynamic Representation ◽  
Policy Theory ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

This article reviews evidence for the effects of public opinion on court decision-making, capital punishment policy and use, correctional expenditures, and incarceration rates. It also assesses evidence about the factors explaining changes over time in public support for punitive crime policies. Most of this evidence originates from outside of our discipline. I identify two reasons that criminologists have not made more progress toward understanding the opinion-policy relationship. One is an unfamiliarity with important theoretical and empirical developments in political science pertaining to public policy mood, parallel opinion change, majoritarian congruence, and dynamic representation. Another is our overreliance on cross-sectional studies and preoccupation with comparing support levels elicited with different questions (global versus specific) and under different conditions (uninformed versus informed). I show how the resultant findings have contributed to misunderstandings about the nature of public opinion and created a false summit in our analysis of the opinion-policy relationship.

Reality Asserts Itself: Public Opinion on Iraq and the Elasticity of Reality

2010 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Baum ◽  
Tim Groeling
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Public Support ◽  
News Coverage ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Sustained Change ◽  
Disaggregated Data ◽  
Original Survey ◽  
Over Time

AbstractPrevailing theories hold that U.S. public support for a war depends primarily on its degree of success, U.S. casualties, or conflict goals. Yet, research into the framing of foreign policy shows that public perceptions concerning each of these factors are often endogenous and malleable by elites. In this article, we argue that both elite rhetoric and the situation on the ground in the conflict affect public opinion, but the qualities that make such information persuasive vary over time and with circumstances. Early in a conflict, elites (especially the president) have an informational advantage that renders public perceptions of “reality” very elastic. As events unfold and as the public gathers more information, this elasticity recedes, allowing alternative frames to challenge the administration's preferred frame. We predict that over time the marginal impact of elite rhetoric and reality will decrease, although a sustained change in events may eventually restore their influence. We test our argument through a content analysis of news coverage of the Iraq war from 2003 through 2007, an original survey of public attitudes regarding Iraq, and partially disaggregated data from more than 200 surveys of public opinion on the war.

Temporal Trends in the Severity and Mortality of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in the Era of Hypothermia

Neonatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Cristina Vega-Del-Val ◽  
Juan Arnaez ◽  
Sonia Caserío ◽  
Elena Pilar Gutiérrez ◽  
Marta Benito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Annual Incidence ◽  
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Ischemic Encephalopathy ◽  
Annual Decline ◽  
Over Time

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> There is a paucity of studies examining temporal trends in the incidence and mortality of moderate-to-severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) during the last decade of therapeutic hypothermia (TH). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Multicenter cross-sectional study of all infants ≥35 weeks gestational age diagnosed with moderate-to-severe HIE within 6 h of birth in an extensive region of Spain between 2011 and 2019, in order to detect trend changes over time in the (1) annual incidence, (2) severity of neurological and systemic organ involvement, and (3) neonatal death from HIE. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Annual incidence rate of moderate-to-severe HIE was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7–0.97) per 1,000 births, without trend changes over time (<i>p</i> = 0.8), although the proportion of severe HIE infants showed an average annual decline of 0.86 points (95% CI 0.75–0.98). There were 102 (70%) infants diagnosed with moderate HIE and 44 (30%) with severe HIE. TH was offered to 139/146 (95%) infants. Infants with clinical and/or electrical seizures showed a decreasing trend from 56 to 28% (<i>p</i> = 0.006). Mortality showed a nonstatistically significant decline (<i>p</i> = 0.4), and the severity of systemic damage showed no changes (<i>p</i> = 0.3). Obstetric characteristics remained unchanged, while higher perinatal pH values (<i>p</i> = 0.03) and Apgar scores (<i>p</i> = 0.05), and less need for resuscitation (<i>p</i> = 0.07), were found over time. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The annual incidence of moderate-to-severe HIE has stabilized at around 1 per 1,000 births, with a temporal trend toward a decrease in severe HIE infants and a slight decline of mortality. No association was found between temporal trends and changes in perinatal/obstetric characteristics over time.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional and prospective associations between sleep regularity and metabolic health in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Fritz ◽  
Andrew J K Phillips ◽  
Larissa C Hunt ◽  
Akram Imam ◽  
Kathryn J Reid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Health ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Diabetes Risk ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Diabetes Incidence ◽  
Antidiabetic Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hispanic Community ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Study Objectives Sleep is an emergent, multi-dimensional risk factor for diabetes. Sleep duration, timing, quality, and insomnia have been associated with diabetes risk and glycemic biomarkers, but the role of sleep regularity in the development of metabolic disorders is less clear. Methods We analyzed data from 2107 adults, aged 19–64 years, from the Sueño ancillary study of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, followed over a mean of 5.7 years. Multivariable-adjusted complex survey regression methods were used to model cross-sectional and prospective associations between the sleep regularity index (SRI) in quartiles (Q1-least regular, Q4-most regular) and diabetes (either laboratory-confirmed or self-reported antidiabetic medication use), baseline levels of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), beta-cell function (HOMA-β), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and their changes over time. Results Cross-sectionally, lower SRI was associated with higher odds of diabetes (odds ratio [OR]Q1 vs. Q4 = 1.64, 95% CI: 0.98–2.74, ORQ2 vs. Q4 = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.70–1.81, ORQ3 vs. Q4 = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.62–1.62, ptrend = 0.023). The SRI effect was more pronounced in older (aged ≥ 45 years) adults (ORQ1 vs. Q4 = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.14–3.12, pinteraction = 0.060) compared to younger ones. No statistically significant associations were found between SRI and diabetes incidence, as well as baseline HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, and HbA1c values, or their changes over time among adults not taking antidiabetic medication. Conclusions Our results suggest that sleep regularity represents another sleep dimension relevant for diabetes risk. Further research is needed to elucidate the relative contribution of sleep regularity to metabolic dysregulation and pathophysiology.

Trajectories of major depression disorders: A systematic review of longitudinal neuroimaging findings

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 441-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Dohm ◽  
Ronny Redlich ◽  
Pienie Zwitserlood ◽  
Udo Dannlowski
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Course Of Depression

Objective: Structural and functional brain alterations in major depression disorder (MDD) are well studied in cross-sectional designs, but little is known about the causality between onset and course of depression on the one hand, and neurobiological changes over time on the other. To explore the direction of causality, longitudinal studies with a long time window (preferably years) are needed, but only few have been undertaken so far. This article reviews all prospective neuroimaging studies in MDD patients currently available and provides a critical discussion of methodological challenges involved in the investigation of the causal relationship between brain alterations and the course of MDD. Method: We conducted a systematic review of studies published before September 2015, to identify structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies that assess the relation between neuronal alterations and MDD in longitudinal (⩾1 year) designs. Results: Only 15 studies meeting minimal standards were identified. An analysis of these longitudinal data showed a large heterogeneity between studies regarding design, samples, imaging methods, spatial restrictions and, consequently, results. There was a strong relationship between brain-volume outcomes and the current mood state, whereas longitudinal studies failed to clarify the influence of pre-existing brain changes on depressive outcome. Conclusion: So far, available longitudinal studies cannot resolve the causality between the course of depression and neurobiological changes over time. Future studies should combine high methodological standards with large sample sizes. Cooperation in multi-center studies is indispensable to attain sufficient sample sizes, and should allow careful assessment of possible confounders.

scholarly journals Institutional logic and scholars' reactions to performance measurement in universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 104-130
Author(s):  
Kirsi-Mari Kallio ◽  
Tomi J. Kallio ◽  
Giuseppe Grossi ◽  
Janne Engblom
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Institutional Logic ◽  
Institutional Work ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
Performance Measurement Systems ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

PurposeEmploying institutional logic and institutional work as its theoretical framework, this study analyzes scholars' reactions to performance measurement systems in academia.Design/methodology/approachLarge datasets were collected over time, combining both quantitative and qualitative elements. The data were gathered from a two-wave survey in 2010 (966 respondents) and 2015 (672 respondents), conducted among scholars performing teaching- and research-oriented tasks in three Finnish universities.FindingsThe analysis showed statistically significant changes over time in the ways that the respondents were positioned in three major groups influenced by different institutional logics. This study contributes to the international debate on institutional change in universities by showing that in Finnish universities, emerging business logics and existing professional logics can co-exist and be blended among a growing group of academics. The analysis of qualitative open-ended answers suggests that performance measurement systems have led to changes in institutional logic, which have influenced the scholars participating in institutional work at the microlevel in academia.Social implicationsWhile most scholars remain critical of performance measurement systems in universities, the fact that many academics are adapting to performance measurement systems highlights significant changes that are generally occurring in academia.Originality/valueWhile most extant studies have focused on field- and organizational-level analyses, this study focuses on understanding how the adoption of performance measurement systems affects institutional logic and institutional work at the microlevel. Moreover, the study's cross-sectional research setting increases society's understanding of institutional evolution in academia.

Self-Evaluation, Differential Item Functioning, and Longitudinal Anchoring Vignettes

2021 ◽  
pp. 289-310
Author(s):  
Omar Paccagnella
Keyword(s):  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Individual Response ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Anchoring Vignettes ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Random Heterogeneity ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Over Time

Anchoring vignettes are a powerful instrument to detect systematic differences in the use of self-reported ordinal survey responses. Not taking into account the (non-random) heterogeneity in reporting styles across different respondents may systematically bias the measurement of the variables of interest. The presence of such individual heterogeneity leads respondents to interpret, understand, or use the response categories for the same question differently. This phenomenon is defined as differential item functioning (DIF) in the psychometric literature. A growing amount of cross-sectional studies apply the anchoring vignette approach to tackle this issue but its use is still limited in the longitudinal context. This chapter introduces longitudinal anchoring vignettes for DIF correction, as well as the statistical approaches available when working with such data and how to investigate stability over time of individual response scales.

UNsatisfied? Public Support for Postconflict International Missions

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 983-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pellumb Kelmendi ◽  
Andrew Radin
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Competing Hypotheses ◽  
Over Time

Public opinion in postconflict societies toward international missions is widely believed to be important. We offer a theory that local satisfaction critically depends on an individual’s perception of whether the mission is furthering the wartime political agenda of his or her social group. To test this theory and competing hypotheses, we examine Kosovo Albanian satisfaction with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). We use data from seventeen different representative surveys conducted in Kosovo from 2002 to 2007 as well as focus group and other primary and secondary sources. Consistent with our theory, we find that aggregate satisfaction over time reflected UNMIK’s growing acceptance of Kosovo’s independence and individuals with more radical views tended to be less satisfied with UNMIK. Our analysis implies that missions can achieve greater local satisfaction by doing what is possible to be responsive to, or at a minimum recognize, the wartime political agendas of the key social groups.

A Comparative Longitudinal Approach to Acculturation among Children from Immigrant Families

2001 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-579 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Group Differences ◽  
Individual Change ◽  
Host Society ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cultural Traditions ◽  
Developmental Progression ◽  
Longitudinal Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods ◽  
Over Time

In this article, Andrew Fuligni notes that, within the field of immigration, the process of acculturation has not been studied as a process of individual change over time. Instead, it has often been inferred from cross-sectional studies examining individual and group differences in adjustment. Fuligni argues that the limitations of traditional cross-sectional designs create a need for studies of acculturation that track the same immigrant children as they encounter and negotiate the potential differences between their own cultural traditions and those of the host society. He suggests an approach for studying acculturation that follows children from different generations across time and throughout their development. This comparative longitudinal approach allows investigators to isolate acculturative change from shifts that would have occurred through the course of the children's development had they not immigrated. Acculturation can also be examined in terms of both the level and the developmental progression across different aspects of adjustment. This approach allows investigators to use various quantitative and qualitative methods to explore variations within and between immigrants in order to better identify and understand acculturation or acculturative change. (pp. 566–578)

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