Exploring Disproportionate Arrest Rates: Adding Social Class to the Conversation

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/6969z2661

Abstract

This study examines the likelihood of arrest based on socioeconomic status using labeling theory. I build on prior research by distinguishing between race effects and class effects, ultimately introducing social class as a predominant factor in police discretion. Using data from the University of Missouri – St. Louis Comprehensive School Safety Initiative (UMSL CSSI) I found that individuals with low socioeconomic status have a 5% higher chance of experiencing sanctions than adolescents with high socioeconomic status when committing the same crime. My research aligns with prior studies in that African Americans are 4.5% more likely to experience arrest than members of other racial and ethnic groups. When conducting an ordinary least squares regression analysis, the results also reveal that controlling for socioeconomic status removes race as a statistically significant predictor of arrest. There is, however, a statistically significant predictor for SES on arrest decisions even when controlling for self-report offending (c = .031, SE = .01, p = .003). I discuss the implications for theory as well as policy in the paper.

Creator