NCJ Number
104744
Journal
Sociological Inquiry Volume: 57 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1987) Pages: 70-101
Date Published
1987
Length
32 pages
Annotation
The volume of research on fear of crime in the United States is substantial and continues to regularly appear in sociology and criminology journals.
Abstract
Despite the amount of research on the subject, the measurement procedures most frequently used are suspect because of theoretical and methodological shortcomings. We present a conceptual definition of fear of crime and then systematically review the way it has been measured in research over the last 15 years. The review indicates that while omnibus fear of crime and risk of crime measures are only moderately correlated, a substantial number of studies have used risk measures and generalized to fear. Suggestions for future research are offered. (Author abstract)