Victimology and Crime

Question 1

Give 6 points in regards to victimology and crime

Answer 1

• Positivism (right realism)
• Critical - structural (left realism)
• Ethnic minorities
• Gender differences
• Working class
• Young people

Question 2

What do positivists believe in regards to victimology?

Answer 2

Some are more liely to be victims than others as it’s an individuals responsibility to avoid being a victim

Question 3

Give an example of positivism and conflicting evidence

Answer 3

13 characteristics of victims - e.g. females

Results in victim blaming

Question 4

What do critical/structuralists believe in regards to victimology?

Answer 4

That wider structural isssues and circumstances produce victimisation

Question 5

Give an example of structuralists and conflicting evidence

Answer 5

Patriarchy and poverty - women and the poor are more likely to be victims

Deterministic - not all working class and females are victims

Question 6

Give an example of how ethnic minorities are more likely to be victims and conflicting evidence

Answer 6

Mixed backrgound - 36% chance of being victims compared to 24% of whites

High amounts of young ethnic minorities that make them vulnerable (age not ethnicity)

Question 7

Give an example of gender differences in crime and conflicting evidence

Answer 7

Men - violent crimes, women - sexual crimes

1 in 6 men have been sexually abused

Question 8

Give an example of why the working class are victims and conflicting evidence

Answer 8

Deprived area - more likely to join gangs etc.

Deterministic - not all WC join gangs

Question 9

Give an example of how young people are victims and conflicting evidence

Answer 9

Males aged 16-24 have the highest chance of being victims

May be due to activities such as drinking etc. - vulnerability not age