An Investigation of Base Rates of Anti-Gay Hate Crimes Using the Unmatched-Count Technique

Abstract

This study uses the unmatched-count technique (UCT) to estimate base rates for anti-gay hate crime perpetration in college students and compares the results with estimates found using conventional methods. The UCT does not require the participant to directly answer sensitive questions, which may provide more accurate responses than other methods. The UCT revealed higher estimates for having gotten into a physical fight with a person because he was gay and having damaged someone's property because he was gay. These higher estimates provide a better feel for the level of these problematic behaviors and point to the need to target college campuses for interventions that foster a climate of zero tolerance for hate crimes.

Key Words:

• Unmatched-Count Technique
• UCT
• base rates
• hate crimes
• hate violence
• anti-gay behavior
• social desirability