week 4 Flashcards
What is the Emergence of FOC Studies?
Gained prominence in the 1960s with President Lyndon Johnson’s survey on “crime and victimization.”
Spread to the UK (BCS) and globally in the 1970s.
Why is defining Fear of Crime (FOC) challenging?
It’s contentious, with multiple definitions but no universal agreement.
Notable contributors: Henson & Reyns (2015), Gray, Jackson & Farrall (2011), Rader, May & Goodrum (2007).
How was FOC traditionally measured, and what are the critiques?
Early studies used broad questions like “How safe do you feel alone at night in your neighborhood?”
Critiques: Conflation of FOC, perceived risk, and constrained behavior (Rader et al., 2007).
What is the Victimization Thesis in FOC?
FOC is linked to direct or indirect victimization experiences.
Victims or those familiar with victims often have heightened FOC.
What is the Vulnerability Thesis?
Physical/social vulnerabilities (e.g., gender, age) impact FOC.
“Shadow of sexual assault” concept highlights how gender influences FOC.
How do objective crime levels impact neighborhood-level FOC?
FOC may not directly correlate with crime rates.
It’s a significant social issue, independent of objective crime rates.
What is the Broken Windows Theory?
Visible signs of disorder (e.g., vandalism) increase FOC and potentially crime rates.
How does urban design influence FOC?
Urban layouts, mixed-use spaces, and natural surveillance reduce FOC.
Promoted by Jacobs (1961) and Newman (1972).
What is the Fear-Gender Gap?
Women report higher FOC than men, despite lower victimization rates.
Feminist theories highlight systemic vulnerabilities and gender roles.
What does the Intersectionality in FOC concept state?
FOC is shaped by intersecting identities like gender, age, and socioeconomic background.
Goes beyond binary gender roles.
