Fear of Crime and Its Behavioral Implications (From From Crime Policy to Victim Policy, P 167-188, 1986, Ezzat A Fattah, ed. - See NCJ-102547)

• NCJ Number: 102555
• Author(s): W G Skogan
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 22 pages
• Grant Number(s): 81-IJ-CX-0069
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: St Martin's Press
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

People's feelings and beliefs about crime do not relate systematically to their behavioral reactions to it.

Abstract

Their beliefs are strongly influenced by the media and are often unrelated to the realities of crime and risks in their own neighborhoods. However, measures of their fear of crime are strong correlates of the actions they take to protect themselves from personal victimization. Sociological, utilitarian, psychological, and opportunity models all suggest ways in which perception and behavior may be linked. Except for Durkheim's sociological model, none of the models assumes a simple relationship between perception and action. Conklin's sociological model emphasizes how perceived risk and fear make it hard for people to avoid withdrawing from the community. The utilitarian model of behavior emphasizes the costs into account. The health belief model also points out how the features of possible countermeasures affect the frequency with which people use them. The opportunity model points about that fear and perceived risk shape intentions, but that actual constraints may limit people's ability to act on their intentions. 36 references. (Author summary modified)