Festival of Scholars

An annual celebration of research, scholarship, and creativity

April 27 - May 1, 2015

Research in Sociology and Criminal Justice

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Time: 2:15pm - 3:50pm
Location: Lundring Events Center
Description: In this panel session, students will present original research in sociology and criminal justice. The projects emerged out of in-class assignments. All are welcome!

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Student Abstracts at this Session

Student(s):
Allyson Burns

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Adina Nack
"LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE"The Subculture Of A Coed Boxing Club

 
This study investigates the subculture of a suburban coed boxing club in Southern California.  The research is based on data collected during a semester-long participant observation study of Bluelake Boxing Club.  The findings reveal specific norms, values, hierarchy, and social support which make up the particular subculture of Bluelake Boxing Club. Male and female participants box in this setting for many different reasons: for example, to gain endurance, muscular strength, skill, confidence, self-defense knowledge, friendships, to release stress, to have healthier lifestyles, and to get fit bodies.  This study expands on prior studies that explored different aspects of boxing subcultures.  Results from this study can be used to inform those who may be interested in boxing for fitness, business owners of boxing clubs, and all who are interested in promoting health.   
Note: To project the confidentiality of participants, pseudonyms are to used in this paper and presentation.
 
Student(s):
Brennan Clinebell

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Molly George
American Drug Policy Research

According to the World Health Organization, at least 15.3 million people suffer from substance abuse disorders worldwide. The United States accounts for a significant portion of those cases. There are many differing opinions and attitudes regarding drug policy among the American public. This research is based on data collected from a team research project on drug policy from a Criminal Justice Research Methods course. My team designed a survey to measure attitudes regarding different aspects of drug policy in the United States. The survey consisted of 30 quantitative questions along with five open-ended questions. To select our sample, we used availability sampling along with snowball sampling, resulting in a sample of 100 respondents. Findings revealed no statistically significant relationship between gender and attitudes regarding rehabilitative drug policy. However, my findings did reveal a statistically significant relationship between respondents self-identified level of religiosity and their attitudes regarding rehabilitative drug policy. Results show that more religiously affiliated individuals are more likely to agree with the idea that addiction is a disease and that treatment should be a focal point for legislators drafting new drug policy. The connections between religiosity, political participation, and attitudes towards rehabilitative drug policy are worthwhile research topics and can prove crucial in the formulation of future policy.
Student(s):
Jeremy Hoffman

Faculty Mentor:
Dr. Molly George
Reactions to the Marginalized: Race, Diversity, and Attitudes Toward Undocumented Immigrants

Immigration reform has been at the forefront of our current political and social debates. This study focused on attitudes towards undocumented immigrants. An online quantitative survey, consisting of 38 questions, was distributed to participants, asking them a range of questions. Findings extend the existing literature by demonstrating a correlation between race, neighborhood diversity, and attitudes toward undocumented immigrants. The study focused on two variables: respondent’s racial/ethnic identity and perceived neighborhood diversity, which were subsequently compared to a respondent’s reported attitudes toward undocumented immigrants. Overall, there were 320 respondents, of which 209 identified as female, 89 identified as male, and five respondents who as genderqueer or non-binary. Of the 299 respondents who chose to identify their citizenship status, 282 identified as American citizens, 13 were not American citizens, and four declined to answer. The average respondent was a white, female, democrat, approximately age 30, who attended public high school and has some college or a bachelor’s degree. In summary, the data demonstrate statistically significant correlations between demographic variables and attitudes toward undocumented immigrants. In summary, this study extends existing literature by showing a correlation between race, neighborhood diversity, and attitudes toward undocumented immigrants. The diversity of respondent’s hometown or high school affects the overall attitudes held toward undocumented immigrants, but it is not the strongest influencing factor. Race and gender are more strongly associated with attitudes than neighborhood diversity.