Beyond Traditional Interaction: Exploring the functional form of the exposure-offending association across online network size. Issue 2 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCuddy, Timothy; Vogel, Matt
• Is Part Of: Journal of criminal justice. Volume 43:Issue 2(2015:Mar./Apr.)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Justice pénale -- Administration -- Périodiques; 364.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2015.01.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2352

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="st0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st0010">Purpose</title> <p id="sp0005">An emerging body of literature suggests online social networks (SNS) have the capacity to influence individual criminal behavior. However, there are fundamental differences between SNS and traditional peer groups. It is therefore likely that peer influence operates differently in SNS. The present study examines the role of network size and functional form of the relationship between individual and peer deviance in online networks.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0015">Methods</title> <p id="sp0010">Data for these analyses come from a survey of 583 undergraduates at a mid-southern university. Empirical analyses rely on a series of multivariate negative binomial regression models.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0020">Results</title> <p id="sp0015">Findings indicate there is a nonlinear relationship between exposure to criminal behavior online and self-reported offending. Network size moderates this relationship. Respondents embedded in the smallest networks exhibit a linear association between peer and individual behavior, while those in the largest networks display a saturation point, after which exposure to additional deviance becomes redundant.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0025">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0020">The current study expands upon the emerging body of criminological research exploring the implications of online environments as venues for social learning. We showcase how processes of peer influence operate in online social networks and potentially affect criminal behavior.</p> </sec> </abstract>