Fear of crime is not simply a measure of how much crime occurs. It describes people’s feelings and beliefs about the possibility of becoming a victim, which may differ from their actual likelihood of victimization. This lesson explores how fear of crime is understood and why people’s experiences and surroundings can shape it.
Fear of crime refers to fear of being a victim of crime. It does not necessarily reflect the actual probability of becoming a victim. The concept includes public feelings, thoughts, and behaviors concerning personal risk, but it can also involve broader cultural ideas about crime and its meaning in daily life.
All flashcards
Fear of crime
Fear of becoming a crime victim; it may differ from a person’s actual likelihood of victimization.
Ambient anxiety
A diffuse sense of unease about risk, rather than worry prompted by an immediate personal threat.
Crime multiplier
The spread of a crime event’s effects through a residential area as people share information about it.
Sensitivity to risk
The degree of concern a person feels about particular offenses, influenced partly by their perceived seriousness.
Stimulus similarity
The perceived relevance of a crime story when someone identifies with its victim or setting.
Quiz questions
How can stimulus similarity make a crime story feel personally relevant?Answer: A reader identifies with the victim or sees similarities between the reported setting and their own surroundings.
What is known about the relationship between media coverage and fear of crime?Answer: Coverage may influence public concern, and public concern may also influence demand for coverage.
What can happen to fear of crime after crime rates decline?Answer: Fear may persist and decline more slowly than the crime rate.
How can crime become a “settled cultural fact”?Answer: Shared cultural ideas can sustain the view of crime as a persistent threat, even when crime levels drop.
How might fear of crime affect a person’s health-related routines?Answer: Avoiding outdoor exercise because of fear may reduce healthy activity and opportunities for social connection.
Based on the Wikipedia article Fear of crime, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.