STUDYING CRIME TRENDS: NORMAL SCIENCE AND EXOGENOUS SHOCKS*

Publisher： John Wiley & Sons Inc

E-ISSN： 1745-9125|56|1|5-26

ISSN： 0011-1384

Source： CRIMINOLOGY, Vol.56, Iss.1, 2018-02, pp. : 5-26

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Abstract

AbstractThe study of crime trends has proceeded along two paths: 1) normal science investigations of slow‐moving and tractable changes in crime rates and explanatory conditions and 2) research encounters with unexpected and abrupt changes in crime rates resulting from exogenous shocks. I draw from my research on the relationship between crime rates and changing macroeconomic conditions to illustrate the pains and pleasures of studying crime trends with the tools of normal science. I describe my exploratory investigations of the recent homicide rise in the United States to underscore the theoretical importance and methodological challenges of research on exogenous shocks to crime rates. Finally, I hope to convey to the next generation of criminologists the intellectual excitement that comes from the study of crime trends.

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