David A. Mackey

Assessing punitiveness among college students: A comparison of criminal justice majors with other majors∗

This paper examines attitudes toward punishment among a purposive sample of college students in the Northeast. The hypothesis that attitudes toward criminal sanctioning held by criminal justice majors are more punitive than those held by other majors was supported. Evidence of the effect of education as a tempering agent was found among grade levels. A multiple regression analysis revealed significant predictors of increased punitiveness among the entire sample. Possible reasons for differences in punitiveness among majors are offered and the practical and pedagogical implications of the findings are discussed.

Job desirability among criminal justice majors: Exploring relationships between personal characteristics and occupational attractiveness

This paper examines the attractiveness of selected criminal justice (CJ)-related occupations among a purposive/convenience sample of students in the northeastern United States (N = 633). In a self-administered questionnaire, students rated the overall attractiveness of ten CJ-related occupations. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to compare means across gender, major, year in college (grade level), punitiveness levels, and other variables. Major, grade level, gender, attitudes of punitiveness, and ideology were associated with occupational attractiveness among the sample, particularly among law enforcement-related occupations. CJ majors were found to view law enforcement-related occupations as highly attractive and more attractive than a variety of corrections-related occupations. Students who rated law enforcement careers as attractive also reported higher levels of punitiveness. The pedagogical and advisement-related implications of the findings are discussed.

Empathy among college students and criminal justice majors: Identifying predispositional traits and the role of education

This paper examines empathy among a purposive sample (N = 633) of college and university students in the northeastern United States. Mehrabian’s Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) was used to measure empathy levels among criminal justice (CJ) and other majors. Descriptive and inferential statistics are used to compare scale and item means across gender, school size and type, grade level, age, and other variables. The authors also examine the relationship in the sample between empathy and attitudes toward punitiveness. Results indicate that male CJ majors possess the lowest levels of empathy, followed by males of other majors, female CJ majors and females majoring in other disciplines. Gender, major, and grade/class level were found to be important in predicting or influencing empathy. Possible explanations for these differences in empathy are offered and the pedagogical implications of the findings are discussed.

Testing the Rehabilitative Ideal among College Students

This study examines where future practitioners and policymakers (i.e., students majoring in criminal justice) fall on the punishment–rehabilitation continuum. A scale comprised of global measures of rehabilitation was administered to a purposive/convenience sample (N = 633) of college students at five colleges/universities in the northeastern USA. Descriptive and inferential statistics are used to compare scale and item means across gender, academic year, age, major, and other variables. Results indicate that support for the rehabilitation of offenders tends to be present across a number of demographic indicators. The policy and pedagogical implications of such attitudes are discussed.

Deterring research paper plagiarism with technology: Establishing a department-level electronic research paper database with e-mail

Academic dishonesty is a serious and increasing problem in higher education. The authors describe a procedure to store, sort, and search student research papers submitted via e-mail. The objective of the research paper database is to assist in creating an educational climate promoting high academic honesty. Procedures were noted documenting the convenience and efficiency in identifying student papers warranting further scrutiny for originality. A small random sample of student research papers submitted for course credit in previous semesters was evaluated for originality of content. Results suggest that the database has value in discouraging some forms of academic dishonesty. The database provides a measure of certainty in detecting instances of academic dishonesty such as a cut and paste from a website or submitting a paper that was submitted in a previous semester.

The ‘X‐Rated X‐Ray’: Reconciling Fairness, Privacy, and Security

Commercial airline flights have been targeted in the events of September 11, later by Richard Reid in December 2001, and more recently in the terrorist plot foiled by British investigators involving an estimated 10 transatlantic flights. Since September 11, 2001, the screening of airline travelers has been redefined in light of its threat to homeland security. Global events have fueled the momentum of policies designed to strengthen homeland security. Some policies, which have the intended goal of protecting individuals and the larger community from harm, may produce unintended negative consequences. A question remains as to what expectation of privacy society is willing to accept as reasonable for travelers on commercial airlines. In particular, X‐ray screening using backscatter technology is one technique which has been used to screen airline travelers for weapons and contraband in a number of major US airports. The legal, social, and ethical considerations of airport screening are discussed in the context of homeland security.

Connecting Academic Criminal Justice to the Practitioner Perspective: The Efficacy of the Professional Interview

This paper details the use of the professional interview as an active learning assignment for students enrolled in criminal justice and social science classes. Numerous ways in which the professional interview enhances the advising and career selection process are identified. The authors present the results of a content analysis of the “summary and reflections” section of assignments from more than 100 professional interviews completed by students enrolled in several criminal justice classes. The results are used to illustrate students’ perceptions of the utility of the assignment. Lastly, the text includes a version of the interview instrument the authors have utilized with great success for a number of years.