Advancing Group Threat Theory Methods: Perception vs Reality in Data Collection

• In Event: Lightning Talk: The Criminalization, Marginalization, and Experiences of Racial/Ethnic Groups in the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

Group threat theory, and specifically racial threat, have been examined many times in sociological and criminological work; however, there is still a substantial research gap when examining the difference between perceptions of different group sizes versus actual changes in these group sizes. This conceptual difference is important for us to understand, but also presents ongoing methodological issues that researchers should be wary of as well. If the perception of a group is that they are growing, who is accurately capturing population data and how is this data being reported? As we continue to examine how different types of group perceptions can impact policy and practice in a community, it is vital we also couch this discussion in conversations of how data is gathered and used to best depict "reality".

Authors

• Brooke Marston, University of Cincinnati

• Krysta Knox, University of Cincinnati

• Clay Driscoll, University of Cincinnati