George E. Capowich
Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Criminology, Loyola University New Orleans
Chapter Member: New Orleans SSN
Areas of Expertise:
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About George
Capowich’s research focuses on deviance in general and specifically on crime and violence causation with studies that test the validity of sociological theories (systemic social disorganization theory and general strain theory) and the design, implementation, and evaluation of neighborhood crime prevention strategies. He has been actively involved with organizations like the New Orleans Crime Coalition, New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, New Orleans Business Council, French Quarter Management District, New Orleans City Council Criminal Justice Committee, New Orleans Mayor’s Office, New Orleans Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Contributions
In the News
George E. Capowich quoted by Dave Cohen, "School Threats Just Keep Coming with Arrest after Arrest across Southeast Louisiana" WWL First News, March 8, 2018.
Guest to discuss live crime camera monitoring on FOX New Orleans, George E. Capowich, September 20, 2016.
George E. Capowich quoted on the extensive research that proves that there is no relationship between temperature and violence by Stephanie Oswald, "Experts Debate the Connection between Heat and Homicide" WGNO ABC, July 10, 2015.
George E. Capowich quoted on reducing gang violence, "Take a Closer Look at the Statistics Surrounding NOLA’s Gang-Related Murders" WGNO, July 8, 2015.
George E. Capowich quoted on economic development in areas destroyed by Hurricane Katrina by Alliciyia George, "Ninth Ward Takes a Step Forward" The Maroon, March 13, 2015.
Publications
"The Attractions of Deviance: Testing General Strain Theory’s Applicability to Alcohol Abuse" Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency (under review).
Examines the role of personal and social attractions connected to alcohol abuse (binge drinking) among college youth using a nationally representative sample.
"A Descriptive Analysis of Court-Case Attrition for Weapons Charges in New Orleans," Greater New Orleans Community Support Fund, 2013.
Tracks case attrition and outcomes of weapons charges as they are processed by the criminal justice system.
"Rebuilding New Orleans Neighborhoods after Hurricane Katrina: Toward a Theory of Social Structure and Cultural Creativity" (with ), in The Sociology of Katrina: Perspectives on a Modern Catastrophe, Vol. 2, edited by David L. Brunsma, David Overfelt, and Steve Picou (Routledge, 2010), 207-223.
Focuses on the development of a theoretical exploration to explain how neighborhood networks and social relations influence the creative process of artists.
"General Strain Theory, Negative Emotions, and Body Dissatisfaction" (with ). Journal of Youth and Adolescence 21, no. 1 (2010): 1-33.
Tests the validity of general strain theory as an explanation for body dissatisfaction among college-aged women and men. One of the surprising findings was the specifications under which young men express dissatisfaction with their body images.