According to the ________ hypothesis, minority youth are overrepresented in police encounters because they commit more crime, for long periods in their life, and they commit more serious crimes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The differential involvement hypothesis suggests that minority youth are overrepresented in police interactions because they engage in more criminal activity than their non-minority counterparts. This is supported by research that shows that, on average, minority youth are more likely to engage in delinquent and criminal behavior, and are more likely to continue doing so into adulthood. This hypothesis is distinct from the differential selection hypothesis, which posits that the police are more likely to target minorities for enforcement actions regardless of their level of involvement in criminal activity.

According to the ________ Hypothesis, Minority Youth Are Overrepresented in Police