According to lifestyle theory is the primary determinant of a groups victimization rate

Abstract

The sample was selected through random-digit dialing, and the telephone interviews were conducted between July and October 1986. Two measures of fear of crime were included in the survey. First, the respondents were asked, "How safe do you feel or would you feel being out alone in your neighborhood?" Possible responses were very safe, safe, unsafe, and very unsafe. Second, the respondents were told that "As people get older some problems become more serious than others." They then were read a list of 13 common problems that included the statement "fear of crime." They were asked to rate the problems as either very serious, serious but manageable, or not a problem. Findings support in large part the position of revisionist scholars that elderly fear of crime is much overestimated in popular and academic literature. A substantial proportion of the sample indicated that they felt safe out alone in their neighborhoods and that fear of crime was not a serious problem. These findings, however, should not mask that a minority of the respondents felt unsafe to walk in their neighborhoods and defined fear of crime as a very serious problem. Findings also show that victimization experience increases, but is not the primary determinant of fear of crime. The inclusion of life-situation variables markedly improved the explained variance for both measures of fear of crime, thus supporting the utility of this line of inquiry. Consistent with previous studies, dissatisfaction with neighborhood and vulnerability were important correlates of fear of crime. 4 tables and 91 references

Victimology is the study of crime victims. It’s a subset of criminology, the study of crime. People who study victimology, or victimization, examine the psychological effects of crimes on the victims, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system and the relationships between victims and offenders. Modern theories of victimology try to explain why some are more likely than other to become victims of a crime.

Three areas within of study within victimology include the following:

Victim Precipitation Theory

The victim precipitation theory suggests that the characteristics of the victim precipitate the crime. That is, a criminal could single out a victim because the victim is of a certain ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.

This theory does not only involve hate crimes directed at specific groups of people. It might also involve occupations or activities. For example, someone who is opposed to his or her views may target a political activist. An employee may target a recently promoted employee if he or she believes they deserved the promotion.

Lifestyle Theory

Lifestyle theory suggests that certain people may become the victims of crimes because of their lifestyles and choices. For example, someone with a gambling or substance addiction could be as an “easy victim” by a con artist.

Walking alone at night in a dangerous area, conspicuously wearing expensive jewelry, leaving doors unlocked and associating with known criminals are other lifestyle characteristics that may lead to victimization.

Deviant Place Theory

There is some overlap between the lifestyle theory and the deviant place theory. The deviant place theory states that an individual is more likely to become the victim of a crime when exposed to dangerous areas. In other words, a mugger is more likely to target a person walking alone after dark in a bad neighborhood. The more frequently a person ventures into bad neighborhoods where violent crime is common, the greater the risk of victimization.

There is also some overlap between the deviant place theory and socioeconomic approaches to victimization. Low-income households are more likely to be located in or near dangerous areas of town, and individuals from poor socioeconomic backgrounds are less capable of moving away from these dangerous areas.

Victimology, threat assessment and criminal behavior are just a few of the topics you will study in Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies degree program. This program is offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and provides a solid framework that students can draw from as they pursue rewarding careers in the criminal justice field. Begin your academic journey today by visiting our website or clicking on the Request More Information on this page.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

journal article

Crime and Justice

Vol. 17 (1993)

, pp. 459-499 (41 pages)

Published By: The University of Chicago Press

https://www.jstor.org/stable/1147556

This is a preview. Log in to get access

Abstract

Current theories of victimization have generated a sizable body of empirical research, mostly within the last two decades. The two most widely known perspectives, lifestyle-exposure and routine activities theories, have been the object of much current thinking and empirical testing, but their maturation has been hampered by many of the same problems impeding theories of criminality. These include inadequate attention to variation by type of crime, compartmentalized thinking, poor links between theory and data, inadequate measures of key concepts, and failure to specify clearly functional relationships between sets of variables. Many of these problems can be addressed by closer examination of the interrelationships among victims, offenders, and criminal situations. Victimization theories should be incorporated into comprehensive integrated theories of crime.

Journal Information

Current issues are now on the Chicago Journals website. Read the latest issue.Since 1979, the Crime and Justice series has presented a review of the latest international research, providing expertise to enhance the work of sociologists, psychologists, criminal lawyers, justice scholars, and political scientists. The series explores a full range of issues concerning crime, its causes, and its cures. In both the review and the thematic volumes, Crime and Justice offers an interdisciplinary approach to address core issue in criminology.

Publisher Information

Since its origins in 1890 as one of the three main divisions of the University of Chicago, The University of Chicago Press has embraced as its mission the obligation to disseminate scholarship of the highest standard and to publish serious works that promote education, foster public understanding, and enrich cultural life. Today, the Journals Division publishes more than 70 journals and hardcover serials, in a wide range of academic disciplines, including the social sciences, the humanities, education, the biological and medical sciences, and the physical sciences.

Rights & Usage

This item is part of a JSTOR Collection.
For terms and use, please refer to our Terms and Conditions
Crime and Justice © 1993 University of Chicago
Request Permissions

What is the lifestyle theory of victimization?

What are the most important theories of victimization?

Which of the following best reflects the idea behind deviant lifestyles and victimization?

Which group is at the highest risk of victimization quizlet?