RT Article
T1 The role of entertainment media in perceptions of police use of force
JF Criminal justice and behavior
VO 42
IS 12
SP 1261
OP 1281
A1 Donovan, Kathleen M.
A2 Klahm, Charles F.
LA English
YR 2015
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1885082517
AB Scholars have long noted the importance of the media in shaping citizens? attitudes about crime and justice. Most studies have focused on the impact of news and particularly local TV news, yet Americans spend far more time watching entertainment media. We examine the portrayal of police misconduct in crime dramas, and how exposure to these portrayals affects perceptions of the police. We find that viewers of crime dramas are more likely to believe the police are successful at lowering crime, use force only when necessary, and that misconduct does not typically lead to false confessions. In contrast, perceptions regarding the frequency of force are unaffected. Our results add to a growing literature demonstrating the importance of entertainment media for attitudes toward crime and the criminal justice system.
K1 crime dramas
K1 Media
K1 Police
K1 Public Opinion
K1 Use of force
DO 10.1177/0093854815604180