ABSTRACT
One of the reasons for the gender gap in crime and punishment views is different socialization and life experiences. A survey of attitudes toward crime and punishment was conducted using undergraduate students at two Midwestern universities. This study examined the views of white and minority students to see whether there were differences between the two groups in their views of crime and punishment. While race was the focus of the study, it is possible that other demographic factors might account for the difference between the two groups of students. The results of this study indicate that views of crime and punishment of whites and minorities are more in line with the conflict theory than they are with the consensus theory. It suggests that race does matter when looking at crime and punishment views. The results of this study should have an impact on the criminal justice academic community.
