Expanding Horizons of Risk in Criminology

Few topics in the social sciences have witnessed as dramatic an increase in scholarly attention over the past two decades as the topic of risk. In this essay we examine sociological approaches to risk in criminological research and theory. After briefly describing the concept of risk in classical and neoclassical criminology, we turn our attention to three emerging social science perspectives on risk, those associated with the scholarship on risk society, edgework, and governmentality. We examine the new directions that these emerging ``risk paradigms'' open for criminological theory and research, including new perspectives on the motivation for criminal risk-taking, the organization of policing and criminal justice systems, and public and political responses to crime. We conclude by reviewing critiques of the scholarship associated with the new risk paradigms and by suggesting promising future directions for criminological research seeking to advance these perspectives.     

Space–time calibration of radar rainfall data

Motivated by a specific problem concerning the relationship between radar reflectance and rainfall intensity, the paper develops a space–time model for use in environmental monitoring applications. The model is cast as a high dimensional multivariate state space time series model, in which the cross-covariance structure is derived from the spatial context of the component series, in such a way that its interpretation is essentially independent of the particular set of spatial locations at which the data are recorded. We develop algorithms for estimating the parameters of the model by maximum likelihood, and for making spatial predictions of the radar calibration parameters by using realtime computations. We apply the model to data from a weather radar station in Lancashire, England, and demonstrate through empirical validation the predictive performance of the model.     

Multicollinearity problems and ridge regression in sociological models

The consequences of omitting relevant variables in regression analysis in order to cope with even moderate levels of multicollinearity can produce severe difficulties in subsequent theoretical interpretation of social science data. Use of ridge regression, a form of biased linear estimation, is explored. Application of ridge regression to a substantive sociological model is given to illustrate ridge regression's strengths as well as its limitations.     

Preventive planning for disasters

The authors have analysed the available data on disaster occurence and conclude that disasters are on the increase, especially in underdeveloped countries. They argue that a new approach to disaster is needed, one which emphasizes the continuing man-environment relationship. Within this approach, planning to prevent disaster should concentrate on long-term precautionary planning integrated into development planning utilizing, as far as possible, local awareness of the disaster problem. This long-term approach to disaster planning is a more effective way of offsetting disaster than a heavy emphasis on each individual disaster event and the relief measures which accompany it.     

Intimacy,Gender and Self Psychology: Considerations for Relationship Counselling

This paper reviews major conceptualisations of intimacy and the blocks, frequently attributed to gender, which are thought to contribute to problems in couple relationships. The paper concludes that gender is often not the limiting factor that inhibits intimacy in heterosexual couples. It may be more productive to consider individual rather than couple therapy to deal with impasses that appear to be associated with gender. Ideas from self psychology provide insights into how some requests for intimacy may be related to immature self‐object needs, which may better be handled through individual rather than couple therapy. A range of therapeutic goals and strategies that focus directly on intimacy are then outlined.     

Marital Assimilation Among Hispanics: Evidence of Declining Cultural and Economic Incorporation?*

Objective. We document intermarriage patterns between Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites over the 1990 to 2000 period in 155 U.S. metropolitan areas and evaluate the effects of spatial, cultural, and economic assimilation on interdecade changes in intermarriage. We hypothesize that changes in Hispanic‐white intermarriage during the 1990s reflect changing spatial, cultural, and economic assimilation among U.S. Hispanics. Methods. We use data from the 1990 and 2000 Census Public Use Microdata Samples. Results. Analyses show that intermarriage between Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites declined during the 1990s, a result fueled in part by burgeoning immigration of Hispanics, especially Mexicans. The 1990s also ushered in a period of increasing Hispanic segregation from non‐Hispanic whites, growing language barriers, and accelerated educational inequality, which also dampened Hispanic‐white intermarriage rates. Conclusions. Our results imply that the Hispanic population is at a transition point, if intermarriage rates are an indication, and possibly a new period of retrenchment in the assimilation process.     

Causes of Placement Breakdown for Foster Children Affected by Alcohol

A sample of 63 licensed foster parents who had fostered a child who was diagnosed with a disorder in the fetal alcohol spectrum were asked “What would make you consider ending a placement with a child who has a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?” The responses to this question were grouped together by foster parents. The grouping data were subjected to multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis. Results indicated that foster parents would consider ending a placement if they felt they were being taken for granted, burned out, had insufficient information about the child, or if the child had serious behavior problems, caused harm to others in the home, or did not comply with household rules and routines. Discrepancies between the literature and study results were described and suggestions for future research were made.