Variations in Self—Reported Arrests: An Epidemiological Perspective

Abstract

This study examines prevalences of self-reported arrests within the context of extra-legal factors using three independent national samples. Considerable differences are found on the basis of geographic regions, place of residence, age and sex. Other variables of significance are race and educational attainment. It is also found that extra-legal factors in biasing self-reported arrests do not operate uniformly across geographic regions and, thus, need careful consideration in deviance research. The study generally supports the proposition that the higher the degree of urbanization, the higher the prevalence of arrests. However, the proposition that the higher the social class, the lower the prevalence of arrest is not supported. Additional research directions are suggested which can examine the nature, frequency and the extent of deviant acts which result in arrest within an epidemiological framework.

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