Elizabeth Hien ’25
Perceptions of Racial Inequality and the Criminal Justice System: the Influence of Structural and Individual Explanations
Elizabeth Hien ’25, Sociology major
Faculty mentor: Dr. Brandon Martinez, Sociology and Anthropology
Racial inequality persists in the criminal justice system, shaped by historical factors and influencing legal outcomes. This study analyzes 2022 General Social Survey (GSS) data to explore how structuralist and individualistic perceptions of inequality affect attitudes toward the criminal justice system and government intervention. Binary logistic regressions reveal that structural explanations correlate with the belief that courts are too harsh and the government should address racial inequality, reflecting recognition of systemic inequality. Conversely, individualistic explanations of inequality showed that courts are not harsh enough and the government has no responsibility to help racial inequality, reinforcing racialized blame and perpetuating inequality.
Poster Presentation: Wednesday, April 23, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
