Overview
This lecture covers positivist victimology, a sociological approach to studying victims of crime by examining the factors that make individuals susceptible to victimization and the criticisms of this perspective.
Introduction to Victimology
- Victimology is the study of victims of crime.
- Two main types: positivist victimology (focuses on individual factors) and critical victimology (focuses on structural factors).
Features of Positivist Victimology
- Examines personal characteristics that increase susceptibility to crime.
- Analyzes relationships between offenders and victims, especially in violent and sexual crimes.
- Considers how victims’ behaviors may contribute to their victimization.
Key Studies in Positivist Victimology
- Hindelang et al. identified factors like age, gender, marital status, family income, and ethnicity as increasing risk of victimization.
- Being in public spaces at night raises the likelihood of becoming a victim.
- Critics argue reliance on stereotypes rather than understanding criminal motivations.
- Wolfgang found 26% of murders in Philadelphia involved the victim instigating the altercation.
- Amir reported that one in five rapes were "victim precipitated," based on police reports.
Criticisms of Positivist Victimology
- Tends to blame victims for their own victimization (“victim-blaming”).
- Media often highlight victim behavior (e.g., drug/alcohol use, dress) to suggest partial fault.
- Judges have commented on victims’ behavior, implying it tempted the offender.
- Von Hentig’s duet theory claims criminal acts are prompted by victims’ behavior.
- Feminists and others criticize this approach for ignoring the criminal’s role and broader social context.
- Positivist victimology is said to rely on subjective judgments presented as facts, disregarding victims’ perspectives.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Victimology — the study of victims of crime.
- Positivist Victimology — approach focusing on individual and situational factors making people more likely to be victims.
- Critical Victimology — approach examining structural or societal factors in victimization.
- Victim-Blaming — holding victims partially or wholly responsible for the crimes committed against them.
- Duet Theory — the idea that victims’ behavior can tempt offenders to commit crime.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review criticisms of positivist victimology for class discussion.
- Prepare examples of victim-blaming from media or case studies for next session.