| Abstract [eng] |
Statistics on criminal offenses show that the number of recorded hate crimes in Lithuania and other countries is relatively low. The real number of hate crimes is likely to be much higher. The difference between the hate crimes committed and the recorded number may be due to the underestimation of the motive for hate. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the evaluation of hate crimes. The study involved 241 participants aged 18–64 years, including 144 women and 94 men. 52 had legal education, 93 had taken one or more legal discipline courses, 96 had no legal education. The respondents filled out survey online. Survey consisted of an evaluation of three simplified descriptions of crimes with and without elements of hate as well as demographic questions. Subjects had to assess what motives and emotions may have contributed to committing the crime. They also had to assess the severity of the punishment imposed on the offender. Differences were found between the recognition of the motives and emotions of the crime with and without the elements of hatred and the assessment of the severity. |
