General evolution and Durkheim's hypothesis of crime frequency: A cross-cultural test

The Sociological Quarterly • Vol/Iss. 33(2) • Blackwell Publishing Ltd • • Published In • Pages: 241-263 •
By Leavitt, Gregory C.

Hypothesis

Social differentiation will be positively associated with property crime (250).

Note

All variables used to measure social differentiation (independent) correlate at p < 0.05 significance with all variables used to measure violent crime (dependent).

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Rank-order correlationSupportedp < 0.05UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Political ComplexityIndependentTerritorial Hierarchy
Settlement SizeIndependentSettlement Patterns
Social ClassesIndependentClasses
Subsistence ActivityIndependentDiet
Transportation TechnologyIndependentTransportation
Wealth DistinctionsIndependentClasses
Military TechnologyIndependentMilitary Technology
Communication TechnologyIndependentElectrical Machines And Appliances, Transmission Of Messages
Value of Land OwnershipIndependentProperty System
Cooperation vs. Competition in Economic ActivityIndependentMutual Aid
LarcenyDependentProperty Offenses
BurglaryDependentProperty Offenses
VandalismDependentProperty Offenses
Division of Labor (Weaving)IndependentOccupational Specialization, Woven And Other Interworked Fabrics
Division of Labor (Metal Working)IndependentMetallurgy, Occupational Specialization