A Gender-Biased Definition: Unintended Impacts of the Fear Requirement in Stalking VictimizationGatewood Owens, Jennifer
doi: 10.1177/0011128715615883pmid: N/A
This study sought to understand (a) whether or not, compared with men, women are more likely to report being frightened by stalking behaviors, when controlling for correlates associated with fear, and (b) whether or not men and women have significantly different (gendered) reactions to factors associated with increased levels of fear. The author found women were exponentially more likely than men to report fear, despite controlling for indications that women had experienced the more serious stalking incidents. Furthermore, these variable factors affected both men and women in similar ways. Arguably, the fear requirement present in most states’ definitions of stalking is inherently gender-biased and should be removed, as no other type of crime is defined by an emotional response.
Sensational Offending: An Application of Sensation Seeking to White-Collar and Conventional CrimesCraig, Jessica M.; Piquero, Nicole Leeper
doi: 10.1177/0011128716674707pmid: N/A
A recent trend in the study of crime is to investigate the role of individual differences in predicting offending, particularly in studying the differences between white-collar and conventional offenders. To further this line of inquiry, the current study assessed the role of the psychological trait of sensation seeking on individualistic white-collar crime and conventional crime, and also whether this relationship varied based upon the individual’s level of self-control. Results from a sample of undergraduate students revealed that there are more similarities than differences between these two offense types. Specifically, those with higher degrees of the unsocialized aspect of sensation seeking were more likely to report intentions to engage in both offense forms. Study implications and limitations are presented.
Procedural Injustice, Risky Lifestyles, and Violent VictimizationWolfe, Scott E.; McLean, Kyle
doi: 10.1177/0011128716640292pmid: N/A
Participation in risky lifestyles is a well-established predictor of victimization. Several variables have been identified as key predictors of risky activities (e.g., low self-control) but there may be additional sources not considered in the literature to date. We argue that perceptions of procedural unfairness represent a break in social control, thereby opening the door for participation in risky lifestyles that are conducive to victimization. Using three waves of data from the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program, we demonstrated that police procedural injustice was positively associated with risky lifestyles, which partially mediated the relationship between procedural injustice and violent victimization. This study advances the literature by demonstrating that our understanding of victimization is enhanced by including procedural injustice into its explanation.
To Whom Do Prior Offenders Pose a Risk? Victim–Offender Similarity in Police-Reported Violent CrimeAaltonen, Mikko
doi: 10.1177/0011128716654713pmid: N/A
This study assessed whether the higher risk of victimization among criminally active and socially disadvantaged individuals is related to violent incidents including offenders with criminal backgrounds. The analysis is based on a Finnish general population sample (N = 69,635) using a 7-year-follow-up of police-reported violent incidents that enabled the measurement of criminal background of the “outside-sample” opposite parties involved in the incidents. The association between socioeconomic/criminal background and victimization grew stronger by the intensity of the criminal background of the offender. The results indicate that the risk posed by prior offenders is disproportionally targeted toward criminally active and disadvantaged individuals.