Citation

Rauma D. Soc. Sci. Res. 1991; 20(1): 1-28.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0049-089X(91)90001-J

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper presents an expanded version of the Rossi and Berk (1985, American Sociological Review, 50, 333-347) normative consensus model for factorial survey data. The Rossi/Berk model does not directly address the possibility of context effects that may appear as competing norms, or as structured disagreement over the application of specific norms to specific situations. The expanded consensus model is taken from the general multilevel model (W. M. Mason, G. Y. Wong, and B. Entwistle, 1983, Sociological Methodology 1983-1984, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco) and allows directly for the possibility of context effects. The expanded model is used to analyze the extent and nature of normative consensus on crime and crime seriousness in a factorial survey. Results of the analysis show a great deal of consensus on what constitutes crime, but structured dissensus on judgments of crime seriousness.