Criminologist’s Definition Of Public’s Attitude To Crime

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29002, 17 September 1959, Page 14

Criminologist’s Definition Of Public’s Attitude To Crime

(New Zeaiana Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 16. A more scientific and less emotional approach to crime and the criminal was needed. Professor Albert Morris, a leading criminologist from Boston University, who is in New Zealand on a Fulbright grant told the Alligators Club in Wellington today. Developing the idea that criminals were people, Professor Morris made the following points: Crime: The term “crime” covered a tremendous range of acts in the same way as did the word “sickness.” Cancer and influenza were both sicknesses, but had different origins and different cures. Crime needed the same approach as disease research. Pubic’s Attitude on Crime: This was based mainly on dramatised and coloured pictures in the “Daily Express,” non-technical journals and films. "On the basis of this mythology, we venture to suggest what should be done about crime. Such suggestions

were about as useful as suggesting a cure for an epidemic because of a picture one had of - completely different disease.” The Urge to Punish: Coloured in part by one's own emotional reactions. The desire to punish to an extent reflected the amount the observer needs to scare himself from committing an overt act. Bodgies: Most bodgie behaviour is not criminal. If a group of university students visited “The Pajama Game” in pyjamas the act was considered a joke. If a § r °up of bodgies dressed differently it was anti-social. The seriousness of anti-social behi viour was often judged by the social level of the participants. What upset was the lack of finesse—their manners, not their morals.

The Community’s Part: For the work of the criminologist to be successful, the community must develop a larger measure of selfunderstanding to the reformed before he can regain a place in