Victimology Concepts and Theories

Questions and Answers

What characterizes the first stage of a violent interaction according to the situated transaction approach?

A mutual agreement to resolve conflict

A physical altercation

The recipient’s assessment of actions

An insult or verbal confrontation by the victim (correct)

In the general system theory, domestic violence affects only the individual who is directly involved.

False

What is formed in the second stage of the situated transaction approach?

The recipient’s assessment of the victim’s actions as offensive.

The theory that explains passive behavior when individuals face uncontrollable situations is called __________.

learned helplessness theory Signup and view all the answers

What leads to victimization in elder abuse according to the social exchange perspective?

The dependency of the elderly on caregivers Signup and view all the answers

The situational approach emphasizes personal responsibility in violent interactions.

False Signup and view all the answers

Name one effect of learned helplessness on individuals.

Depression or anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Situated Transaction Approach = Stages leading to violent interaction General System Theory = How family influences domestic violence Social Exchange Perspective = Interactions based on perceived fairness Learned Helplessness Theory = Passive behavior in uncontrollable situations Signup and view all the answers

In the general system theory, the family is viewed as a __________ system.

closed Signup and view all the answers

What does the third stage in the situated transaction approach involve?

Critical response to resolve the conflict Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vulnerability in Victimology

Biological vs. Social Vulnerability: Refers to innate traits versus societal conditions that can affect victimization risk.
Target Gratifiability: Victims possessing valuable goods that entice offenders.
Target Antagonism: Personal traits, like being part of a minority, that may provoke offenders.

Key Concepts in Victimology

Precipitation: Actions that might provoke offender behavior.
- Active Precipitation: Deliberate provocation, like initiating a fight.
- Passive Precipitation: Unintentional traits that may antagonize offenders.
Facilitation: Victims unintentionally create opportunities for crime through negligence.
Impunity: Some individuals, such as sex workers, face challenges in reporting crimes, increasing their vulnerability.

Lifestyle/Exposure Model of Victimization

Victimization rates are correlated with demographics: age, gender, and marital status.
Younger, male, and single individuals are more likely to be victimized.
Family Income Influence: Affects lifestyle choices, living conditions, and social interactions impacting victimization risk.
Preconditions for Victimization: Involves the presence of both offender and victim, timing, and location. The offender must perceive the victim as a suitable target.

Opportunity Model of Victimization

Five Factors for Victimization:
- Exposure: Visibility and accessibility increase the chance of encounter with offenders.
- Proximity: The physical closeness of potential victims to potential offenders affects victimization risk.
- Guardianship: Presence of protective individuals or objects can deter crime.
- Target Attractiveness: Desirability of the victim or their property influences offender motivation.
- Properties of Offences: Specific characteristics of crimes can limit offender actions.

High-Risk Activities

Certain occupations, such as police officers and medical professionals, more frequently expose individuals to victimization.
Engaging in activities like sex work can lead to dangerous environments.

Defensive and Avoidance Behavior

Individuals’ attitudes towards risks contribute to their victimization likelihood.
Risk-takers face higher victimization rates compared to those who are risk-averse.

Structural and Cultural Proneness

Powerlessness and deprivation correlate with increased victimization frequencies.

Extended Low Self-Control Theory

Low self-control leads to higher likelihood of immediate gratification-seeking behaviors without considering long-term consequences.
Elements influencing self-control:
- Future Orientation: Ability to delay gratification correlates with self-control.
- Empathy: Low empathy diminishes social connections, increasing victimization risk.
- Frustration Tolerance: Lower tolerance increases vulnerability due to potential anger responses.

Theoretical Developments

Socio-Structural Perspective:
- Considers how economic and power structures lead to victimization.
Socio-Cultural Perspective (Feminist view):
- Reflects historical treatment of women, depicting victimization as rooted in male dominance.
Physical Milieu Perspective:
- Associates victimization with residence in high-crime or impoverished areas.

Socio-Interactionist Perspective: Focuses on interactions leading to victimization; includes active and passive precipitation concepts.
Social Exchange Perspective: Highlights imbalance in interactions, e.g., elderly dependence leading to potential exploitation.

Learned Helplessness Theory

Describes passive behaviors in uncontrollable situations, promoting feelings of helplessness that can result in depression and anxiety.

Description

Explore key concepts in victimology, including biological and social vulnerability. Understand how target gratifiability and target antagonism influence crime. This quiz covers essential theories and definitions related to victim behavior.