Psychology

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Aims:

To find out if homicide rates would vary as a function of local life expectancy, in Chicago.
Method:

A correlation study, using survey data from police records, school records and local demographic records.
Participants/Subjects:

Local communities with lower than average male life expectancies.
Findings:
- Life expectancy was a good predictor of neighbourhood-specific homicide rates.
- Possible that these young men actually discounted the future and expected to live shorter lives, escalating the likelihood that they would increase risk taking for short-term rewards.
Findings in realtion to school:
- Neighbourhood-specific rate of absenteeism from school was negatively correlated with life expectancy.
- Seeing little point in investing in their futures.
A possible explanation for the truancy rate is?

The parents are also operating on a short time horizon and unwilling to enforce attendance because they are aware of homicide rates.
Conclusion:

Inequity and unequal distribution of wealth and resources in society mean the poorest feel they have little to lose by engaging in reckless behaviour.