Victimology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a victim?

A person who suffers harm due to illegal activity.

What does victimization refer to?

An asymmetrical relationship that is abusive, painful, destructive, or unfair.

What is victimology?

The scientific study of the victim's plight, criminal justice system's response, and the public's reaction.

Who are considered direct/primary victims?

Individuals who experience a criminal act and its consequences firsthand. Signup and view all the answers

Who are indirect/secondary victims?

Individuals not immediately involved or injured but may be burdened by the consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of 'survivors' in victimology?

Close relatives of victims who have been murdered. Signup and view all the answers

What are risk reduction activities?

Ways to limit exposure to dangers and harden targets likely to be attacked. Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as risk management tactics?

Strategies to minimize chances of harm when exposure cannot be avoided. Signup and view all the answers

What are avoidance strategies?

Precautions taken to reduce risks of harm from criminally inclined individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is victim blaming?

The idea that the injured party is partly responsible for their victimization. Signup and view all the answers

What is victim defending?

The denial that the injured party should bear any responsibility for their victimization. Signup and view all the answers

What does deterrence theory propose?

That swift and certain punishment is the solution to crime. Signup and view all the answers

What are repeat victims/serial victims?

Individuals targeted multiple times by criminals. Signup and view all the answers

What is victim facilitation?

When a victim unknowingly does something that leads to criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What defines victim precipitation?

When a victim is partly at fault for provoking an attack. Signup and view all the answers

What is victim provocation?

An act that instigates or triggers someone to commit an unlawful attack. Signup and view all the answers

How does victimology differ from criminology?

Victimology studies victimization and relationships with offenders, while criminology focuses on the reasons behind criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Match the determinants of differential risks with their descriptions:

Attractiveness = The appeal that may draw criminals' attention. Proximity = The closeness to potential danger. Deviant place factor = Locations that are more likely to be associated with crime. Vulnerability = State of being open to harm. Lifestyle = The daily habits that may increase risk. Exposure = Being in risky environments. Character contest = A factor that might indicate a person's resilience or risk. Equivalent group = Group dynamics that may influence risk. Signup and view all the answers

What does FOIA stand for?

Freedom of Information Act. Signup and view all the answers

What are the categories of prison populations?

General Population, Protective Custody, Segregation/Special Management, Juvenile Population, Female Population. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Victim and Victimology Concepts

Victim: An individual harmed by illegal activity, currently emphasizing injuries, losses, or hardships rather than sacrifice.
Victimization: An abusive and unfair relationship where offenders manipulate victims into roles akin to predator/prey dynamics.
Victimology: An academic field that studies victims' experiences, the criminal justice system's responses, and societal attitudes towards victims.

Types of Victims

Direct/Primary Victims: Individuals who directly experience a criminal act and its immediate consequences.
Indirect/Secondary Victims: Individuals not directly involved but affected by the trauma, like first responders witnessing traumatic events.
Survivors: Close relatives of murdered victims, framed in a more positive light compared to the term "victim."

Risk Management Concepts

Risk Reduction Activities: Strategies to limit exposure to dangers, reducing the likelihood of becoming a target for crime.
Risk Management Tactics: Approaches like walking in groups or carrying self-defense tools to lower harm chances.
Avoidance Strategies: Precautions taken to minimize risks, such as not inviting strangers into homes or disregarding unwelcome conversations.

Responsibility and Accountability

Victim Blaming: The tendency to hold victims partially responsible for their victimization, suggesting complicity in the crime.
Victim Defending: A counter perspective emphasizing the aggressor's full accountability and denying any blame on the injured party.

Theoretical Perspectives

Deterrence Theory: Proposes that swift and certain punishment can prevent crime, acting as a deterrent to potential offenders.
Repeat Victims/Serial Victims: Individuals targeted multiple times, with offenders using prior knowledge of the victim or location for future crimes.

Behavioral Dynamics

Victim Facilitation: Instances where victims unknowingly contribute to their victimization, attracting offenders.
Victim Precipitation: Concept suggesting that victims might provoke offenders, creating an assumption of partial blame.
Victim Provocation: Actions that instigate unlawful behavior, with the argument that victims may bear more responsibility in confrontations.

Distinctions in Study Fields

Victimology vs Criminology: Victimology focuses on victim experiences and relationships with offenders; criminology examines the motives behind criminal behavior.

Determinants of Differential Risks

Factors influencing victimization risk include attractiveness, proximity to offenders, deviant environments, personal vulnerability, lifestyle choices, exposure to risks, character traits, and belonging to equivalent groups.

Additional Legal and Population Context

FOIA: Freedom of Information Act allows public access to facility information, with a two-week response time for requests.
Prison Populations: Divided categories include general population, protective custody, segregation, juvenile, and female inmates.

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Description

Explore essential concepts in victimology with these flashcards. Each card provides definitions that clarify important terms such as 'victim' and 'victimization.' Perfect for students seeking a deeper understanding of these critical concepts.