THE PERCEIVED SEVERITY OF CRIMES IN ADOLE SCENTS, INSTITUTIONALIZED OR NOT INSTITUTIONALIZED, AND IN PROFESSIONALS - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY

The perceived severity of 118 crimes, ranging from parricide to <<cros sing the street outside the crosswalk>>, was studied in five participa nt samples adolescents without criminal records, institutionalized ado lescents, experts in law, policemen, and social workers. A great homog eneity in perception was found among all five groups. Four types of cr imes were however identified on the basis of inter group differences : (a) physical violence against people, (b) offenses to private propert y, severe educational shortcomings, dangerous driving, (c) offenses of moderate severity but producing strong emotional reactions in people, and (d) minor offenses.