Outline two ways in which media representations of crime may not reflect reality.
- AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 3
Question 1
Outline two ways in which media representations of crime may not reflect reality.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline two ways in which media representations of crime may not reflect reality.
- AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 3
Step 1
Violent and sexual crimes are over-reported
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Answer
Media often exaggerates the prevalence of violent and sexual crimes, which represent a significantly smaller percentage in the official statistics or victim surveys. This creates a distorted reality, leading the public to believe these incidents are more common than they truly are.
Step 2
Under-reporting property crime
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Answer
Many instances of property crime go under-reported. This discrepancy arises because individuals may not report minor thefts or vandalism to authorities, which can result in the media portraying property crimes as more rampant than they actually are.