FEAR OF CRIME AND CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION: Testing a Theory of Psychological Incapacitation of the 'Stressor' Based on Downward Comparison Processes

Abstract

The empirical evidence supporting a fear-criminal victimization relationship is relatively weak and mixed. A fear-victimization model is developed which Fear and Victimization: Theoretical AspectsIn psychological analyses of emotions the cognitive paradigm is broadly adhered to (Frijda 1988). It assumes that emotions are produced by the person's interpretation of a psychologically significant situation (Berkowitz 1993). Cognitive theory highlights the importance of thoughts, interpretations, appraisals or judgments in generating the emotional experience. Such a cognitive focus is also dearly visible in the various explanatory theories of fear of crime (Hale 1996;Killias 1990;Warr 1987). The major part of Hale's review of the fear of crime literature is devoted to an examination of different theoretical explanations of fear of crime. He argues that 'any model trying to explain fear will include some notion of vulnerability ' (Hale 1996: 95). Models of emotional vulnerability traditionally distinguish, at least, two dimensions of vulnerability, namely perceptions of personal risk (and/or risk to significant others), and perceptions of the seriousness of the consequences emanating from that risk. Both dimensions also emerge in Winkel's (1981) two-factor model of fear of crime, in which fear as an emotional response and fear-related cognitions represent two sides of the

The Psychology of Fear of Crime. Conceptual and Methodological Perspectives

“….erraro 1995), (b) vulnerability (e.g. Killias 1990;Killias and Clerici 2000;Warr 1984) and (c) experience of crime (Hale 1996:103ff;Winkel 1998). …”

Fear and Perceived Likelihood of Victimization in Traditional and Cyber Settings

“…The findings match previous research. Those who perceived themselves as most likely to be victims also showed a higher fear of victimization (Box et al, 1988;Cook & Fox, 2011;Gainey et al, 2011;Lee & HilinskiRosick, 2012;Ozascilar, 2013;Warr & Stafford, 1983;Winkel, 1998). This provides further evidence for the transferability of findings from the traditional to the cyber domain.…”

“…One explanation might be that fear includes a sense of vulnerability, both in terms of perceived likelihood of risk and perceived seriousness of the risk (Hale, 1996). Winkel (1998) also referred to perceived likelihood of risk as 'subjective victimization risk' and 'perceived negative impact', with the latter influencing fear more so than subjective victimization risk. This indirectly supports the link between fear and vulnerability to risk.…”

Fear of Crime in South Korea

“…Chockalingam and Srinivasan's (2009) research suggested victimization had no impact on fear of crime among college students in India and was inversely associated with fear among college students in Japan. Winkel's (1998) analyses of longitudinal data from the Netherlands showed that crime victims expressed enhanced concern about crime immediately after the victimization incident but, as they recovered from the incident, they gained confidence in their abilities to cope with crime and became less concerned about victimization than persons who had not been victimized. Weinrath and Gartrell's (1996) analysis of data from Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) indicated that assault victimization was associated with heightened fear of crime among young adults, but reduced fear of crime among the elderly.…”