NCJ Number
110247
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1987) Pages: 283-300
Date Published
1987
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This paper introduces the concept of 'domain-specific' models of victimization as a means of improving the fit between theoretical concepts in routine-activity theory and available data.
Abstract
Activity theory explains victimization as a function of the routine activity of victims that places them at risk (Cohen and Felson, 1979). The development of this theory has been inhibited, in part, by the lack of data for empirical testing but also by a tendency to construct overly generalized models to explain varied phenomenon. To operationalize more precisely key life activity concepts and to increase the explanatory power of activity models for a subset of victimization, this paper focuses on the work domain. It reviews existing research on victimization at the workplace and analyzes data from the 1982 Victim Risk Supplement (VRS) to the National Crime Survey, which provides data necessary to construct domain-specific models of victimization and define domain-specific crime classes. The supplement makes it possible to restrict analysis to incidents reported to have happened while the respondent was at work. Findings indicate that activities performed as part of the occupational role affect the risk of victimization at work to a much greater extent than workers' demographic characteristics. These findings support both routine-activity theory generally and domain-specific models as an approach to testing the theory. 2 tables and 18 references. (Author abstract modified)