NCJ Number
110089
Date Published
1988
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This document presents the findings of a series of research studies on the nature of social influence and its effects on crime reporting.
Abstract
Multiple methods, such as archival analyses, interviews, and experiments, were used to investigate the effects of others on victim's decisions to report or not report crimes to police. The findings suggest that many victims do talk with others after the crime, that these others are likely to give victims advice about what to do, and that victims are likely to follow this advice. Another way that crime victims can be influenced is through the cueing of 'scripts,' which are the expectations people have about stereotyped sequences of events. These individuals might argue that the crime is not very serious and the police will not do much about it or that it is serious and the police will do something. Norms, beliefs, attitudes, and actions can influence a crime victim in one of two ways, either by being pressured by others or by being reminded of the norms of some group to which the victim belongs and feels strongly enough committed that a negative reaction from that group would be aversive. It is clear that there are cultural differences in how people believe victims should act. It was also found that others not only influence victims in reporting crimes, but that these others also influence victims to continue or stop aiding the criminal justice system. 9 references.