According to a classic notion by Durkheim, crime can lead to a collective indignation that is exp... more According to a classic notion by Durkheim, crime can lead to a collective indignation that is expressed through collective displays of solidarity. However, it is also possible that collective crimes represent a decline of the social order and a loss of community. Using two cross-sectional data sets collected in Finnish communities that experienced tragic school shootings, this article provides a tentative test of these two competing hypotheses. We ask how the local communities respond to heinous crimes such as school shootings. We also ask if it is possible that concerns about crime can, at times, promote social cohesion. The results indicate that both models may be applicable; however, contextual factors appear to limit the generalizability of either model.
Critical incidents often result in amplified social solidarity among the members of a traumatized... more Critical incidents often result in amplified social solidarity among the members of a traumatized community. Some argue this solidarity accelerates recovery and supportive social environments
decrease the likelihood of PTSD and other health problems after traumatic events. However, little research investigates if social solidarity influences wellbeing independent from the social support
that accompanies heightened solidarity. That is, does feeling attached to a group protect one from negative events even if social support is lacking? We investigate the relationship between
solidarity and wellbeing after tragedies by analyzing three mass shootings: a mall shooting in Omaha, Nebraska and two school shootings in Finland. Our results indicate that social solidarity
decreases depressive symptomology in all three cases and promotes wellbeing in both the short and long-term. The influence of solidarity on wellbeing remains even when controlling for other
known predictors of depression, including social support. Therefore, solidarity’s influence on wellbeing appears to be substantial and enduring. Importantly, our research also demonstrates that the relationship between solidarity and wellbeing holds across cultures.
Critical incidents often result in amplified social solidarity among the members of a traumatized... more Critical incidents often result in amplified social solidarity among the members of a traumatized community. Some argue this solidarity accelerates recovery and supportive social environments decrease the likelihood of PTSD and other health problems after traumatic events. However, little research investigates if social solidarity influences wellbeing independent from the social support that accompanies heightened solidarity. That is, does feeling attached to a group protect one from negative events even if social support is lacking? We investigate the relationship between solidarity and wellbeing after tragedies by analyzing three mass shootings: a mall shooting in Omaha, Nebraska and two school shootings in Finland. Our results indicate that social solidarity decreases depressive symptomology in all three cases and promotes wellbeing in both the short and long-term. The influence of solidarity on wellbeing remains even when controlling for other known predictors of depression, inc...
We build an agent-based model of incarceration based on the SIS model of infectious disease propa... more We build an agent-based model of incarceration based on the SIS model of infectious disease propagation. Our central hypothesis is that the observed racial disparities in incarceration rates between Black and White Americans can be explained as the result of differential sentencing between the two demographic groups. We demonstrate that if incarceration can be spread through a social influence network, then even relatively small differences in sentencing can result in the large disparities in incarceration rates. Controlling for effects of transmissibility, susceptibility, and influence network structure, our model reproduces the observed large disparities in incarceration rates given the differences in sentence lengths for White and Black drug offenders in the United States without extensive parameter tuning. We further establish the suitability of the SIS model as applied to incarceration, as the observed structural patterns of recidivism are an emergent property of the model. In ...
Generally speaking, theories of adolescent drug use emphasize either attitudinal variables, such ... more Generally speaking, theories of adolescent drug use emphasize either attitudinal variables, such as selfesteem or self control, or behavioral variables, such as interactions with delinquent peers. This research uses variables such as self-esteem, impulsiveness, parental attachment, commitment to education, and peer drug use to predict adolescent substance usc. The analysis is conducted on a sample of 312 middle-school children from South Carolina. Results indicate that while attitudinal variables are important for predicting use, behavioral variables are superior predictors of adolescent drug use. Involvement in non-drug related crimes, associating with drug-using peers, and involvement in a recreational routine activity pattern, all behavioral variables, were the best predictors of adolescent drug use. Attachment was the best attitudinal predictor of drug use This research implies that dynamic models are needed to adequately explain the variation in adolescent drug usc, Researchers and theorists are reminded that recreational drug use among adolescents is often a behavior that conforms to sub-group norms and not simply behavior that deviates from the dominant culture's norms.
ABSTRACT Although the use of social media by hate groups emerged contemporaneously with the Web, ... more ABSTRACT Although the use of social media by hate groups emerged contemporaneously with the Web, few have researched what influence these groups have. Will increasingly active online-hate groups lead to more acts of mass violence, or is concern over the widespread web presence of hate groups a moral panic? If we consider these groups in light of criminological theories, it becomes clear that they pose a danger. Although mass shootings will remain rare, social media sites may contribute to a relative increase in these tragic phenomena. In this paper, I consider how social media can encourage mass murder within a framework of one of the most prominent and supported criminological theories: differential association. I briefly discuss the presence of hate groups on the web and then review how the core principles of differential association are met and potentially amplified through social media. I then provide an example of the interconnectedness of hate groups and conclude with a call for future research.
According to a classic notion by Durkheim, crime can lead to a collective indignation that is exp... more According to a classic notion by Durkheim, crime can lead to a collective indignation that is expressed through collective displays of solidarity. However, it is also possible that collective crimes represent a decline of the social order and a loss of community. Using two cross-sectional data sets collected in Finnish communities that experienced tragic school shootings, this article provides a tentative test of these two competing hypotheses. We ask how the local communities respond to heinous crimes such as school shootings. We also ask if it is possible that concerns about crime can, at times, promote social cohesion. The results indicate that both models may be applicable; however, contextual factors appear to limit the generalizability of either model.
Critical incidents often result in amplified social solidarity among the members of a traumatized... more Critical incidents often result in amplified social solidarity among the members of a traumatized community. Some argue this solidarity accelerates recovery and supportive social environments
decrease the likelihood of PTSD and other health problems after traumatic events. However, little research investigates if social solidarity influences wellbeing independent from the social support
that accompanies heightened solidarity. That is, does feeling attached to a group protect one from negative events even if social support is lacking? We investigate the relationship between
solidarity and wellbeing after tragedies by analyzing three mass shootings: a mall shooting in Omaha, Nebraska and two school shootings in Finland. Our results indicate that social solidarity
decreases depressive symptomology in all three cases and promotes wellbeing in both the short and long-term. The influence of solidarity on wellbeing remains even when controlling for other
known predictors of depression, including social support. Therefore, solidarity’s influence on wellbeing appears to be substantial and enduring. Importantly, our research also demonstrates that the relationship between solidarity and wellbeing holds across cultures.
Critical incidents often result in amplified social solidarity among the members of a traumatized... more Critical incidents often result in amplified social solidarity among the members of a traumatized community. Some argue this solidarity accelerates recovery and supportive social environments decrease the likelihood of PTSD and other health problems after traumatic events. However, little research investigates if social solidarity influences wellbeing independent from the social support that accompanies heightened solidarity. That is, does feeling attached to a group protect one from negative events even if social support is lacking? We investigate the relationship between solidarity and wellbeing after tragedies by analyzing three mass shootings: a mall shooting in Omaha, Nebraska and two school shootings in Finland. Our results indicate that social solidarity decreases depressive symptomology in all three cases and promotes wellbeing in both the short and long-term. The influence of solidarity on wellbeing remains even when controlling for other known predictors of depression, inc...
We build an agent-based model of incarceration based on the SIS model of infectious disease propa... more We build an agent-based model of incarceration based on the SIS model of infectious disease propagation. Our central hypothesis is that the observed racial disparities in incarceration rates between Black and White Americans can be explained as the result of differential sentencing between the two demographic groups. We demonstrate that if incarceration can be spread through a social influence network, then even relatively small differences in sentencing can result in the large disparities in incarceration rates. Controlling for effects of transmissibility, susceptibility, and influence network structure, our model reproduces the observed large disparities in incarceration rates given the differences in sentence lengths for White and Black drug offenders in the United States without extensive parameter tuning. We further establish the suitability of the SIS model as applied to incarceration, as the observed structural patterns of recidivism are an emergent property of the model. In ...
Generally speaking, theories of adolescent drug use emphasize either attitudinal variables, such ... more Generally speaking, theories of adolescent drug use emphasize either attitudinal variables, such as selfesteem or self control, or behavioral variables, such as interactions with delinquent peers. This research uses variables such as self-esteem, impulsiveness, parental attachment, commitment to education, and peer drug use to predict adolescent substance usc. The analysis is conducted on a sample of 312 middle-school children from South Carolina. Results indicate that while attitudinal variables are important for predicting use, behavioral variables are superior predictors of adolescent drug use. Involvement in non-drug related crimes, associating with drug-using peers, and involvement in a recreational routine activity pattern, all behavioral variables, were the best predictors of adolescent drug use. Attachment was the best attitudinal predictor of drug use This research implies that dynamic models are needed to adequately explain the variation in adolescent drug usc, Researchers and theorists are reminded that recreational drug use among adolescents is often a behavior that conforms to sub-group norms and not simply behavior that deviates from the dominant culture's norms.
ABSTRACT Although the use of social media by hate groups emerged contemporaneously with the Web, ... more ABSTRACT Although the use of social media by hate groups emerged contemporaneously with the Web, few have researched what influence these groups have. Will increasingly active online-hate groups lead to more acts of mass violence, or is concern over the widespread web presence of hate groups a moral panic? If we consider these groups in light of criminological theories, it becomes clear that they pose a danger. Although mass shootings will remain rare, social media sites may contribute to a relative increase in these tragic phenomena. In this paper, I consider how social media can encourage mass murder within a framework of one of the most prominent and supported criminological theories: differential association. I briefly discuss the presence of hate groups on the web and then review how the core principles of differential association are met and potentially amplified through social media. I then provide an example of the interconnectedness of hate groups and conclude with a call for future research.
Uploads
Papers by James Hawdon
decrease the likelihood of PTSD and other health problems after traumatic events. However, little research investigates if social solidarity influences wellbeing independent from the social support
that accompanies heightened solidarity. That is, does feeling attached to a group protect one from negative events even if social support is lacking? We investigate the relationship between
solidarity and wellbeing after tragedies by analyzing three mass shootings: a mall shooting in Omaha, Nebraska and two school shootings in Finland. Our results indicate that social solidarity
decreases depressive symptomology in all three cases and promotes wellbeing in both the short and long-term. The influence of solidarity on wellbeing remains even when controlling for other
known predictors of depression, including social support. Therefore, solidarity’s influence on wellbeing appears to be substantial and enduring. Importantly, our research also demonstrates that the relationship between solidarity and wellbeing holds across cultures.
decrease the likelihood of PTSD and other health problems after traumatic events. However, little research investigates if social solidarity influences wellbeing independent from the social support
that accompanies heightened solidarity. That is, does feeling attached to a group protect one from negative events even if social support is lacking? We investigate the relationship between
solidarity and wellbeing after tragedies by analyzing three mass shootings: a mall shooting in Omaha, Nebraska and two school shootings in Finland. Our results indicate that social solidarity
decreases depressive symptomology in all three cases and promotes wellbeing in both the short and long-term. The influence of solidarity on wellbeing remains even when controlling for other
known predictors of depression, including social support. Therefore, solidarity’s influence on wellbeing appears to be substantial and enduring. Importantly, our research also demonstrates that the relationship between solidarity and wellbeing holds across cultures.