Criminology II Nature and Extent of Crime Unit 3

Jessica R. Dunham, M.S.

Due this week:Read Chapter 3QuizDiscussion board

Nationally-representative data collection consists of:UCRNCVSNIBRS

Crime trends typically based on official data Self-report Surveys expand the knowledge of the

nature and extent of crime beyond officially reported data

However, Self-report Surveys also have methodological issues

This week your reading discusses the contribution of the victim to the crime incident. For the victim, this is known as victimization. In doing so, we have (or will) read about different victimization theories.

What is Victimization?

The act of being a victim of a crime

The victim’s view in a crime event

Are victimization events stable over time?

(Rand & Thurman, 2010)

(Rand, 2008)

(Rand & Thurman, 2010)

(Rand & Thurman, 2010)

(Rand & Thurman, 2010)

NCVS victimization findings are fairly stable from year to year with a slight decline in the last couple years.

Although in decline the rates from year to year by gender are fairly consistent across genders.

Why is this stability important?

Why is this stability important?

How does it relate to research, theory construction/assessment, and crime prevention?

Stability of victimization findings allow:Assessment of theories of victimizationDevelopment of new theories of victimizationDevelopment of crime prevention strategiesDevelopment of more effective law enforcement

strategiesAssessment of the detailed nature of

victimization

Victim Precipitation Theory

Life Style Theory

Routine Activity Theory

Deviant Place Theory

Victims utilize provocative behavior that leads to their subsequent victimization

Active vs. PassiveHow do these differ?

Victims utilize provocative behavior that leads to their subsequent victimization

Active vs. PassiveActive includes physical gestures or wordsPassive consists of unknowing threats

An individual’s high-risk lifestyle gives him/her a greater chance for victimization

Links victimization to both individual behavior and the social structure

Role Expectations and social structure impose constraints that must be adapted for smooth function in societyLack of adaptation to society leads to a lifestyle

that leads to exposureWhich can lead to victimization

(Hindelang et al, 1978)

Individuals are more likely to become a victim because they live in areas of high social disorganization

This exposure to the criminal activities of others then leads to possible victimization

Thus, victimization is a function of place not of one’s lifestyle

Convergence in time and space of motivated offenders and suitable targets in the absence of capable guardians leads to criminal opportunity

(Cohen/Felson, 1979)

Victimization OccursBecause

These coincide

Han

dler

Guardian

Manager

Off

ende

r Target

Place

Eck (1994)

Victimization OccursBecause

These coincide

Han

dler

Guardian

Manager

Off

ende

r Target

Place

Eck (1994)

In the absence of effective Controllers

What is Victim-blaming?

What is Victim-blaming?When the victim is held completely or partially

responsible for the crime, whether informally or formally

12-17 slide PowerPoint presentation (including title page & references slide)

Discuss Routine Activity Theory (RAT) (do not copy my slides!) What are the main elements (2-3 slides)

How can this theory explain how individuals/objects become victimized? (2-3 slides)

How does RAT involve concepts of rational choice theory (2-3 slides)

Discuss how Situational Crime prevention Strategies can help to reduce crime within the context of RAT (2-3 slides)

FORMAT Use Title slide, Outline Slide, & Reference slide Include an Introduction & a Conclusion slide Use examples Cite your sources (at least 2 beyond the

textbook) 12-17 slides Be Creative

Reminders:AIM = JessicaRDunham

Email = [email protected]

Phone = 317-490-8952