Predicting Tendencies in Personal Crime Prevention Strategies: A Study of the Role of Individual Characteristics

• In Event: Managing Fear of Crime Victimization: Individual and Neighborhood Responses

Abstract

Much research on crime prevention tactics perceives specific choices as rational responses to victimization or fear of victimization. In this research, we theorize that individuals may preference specific approaches based on their personal characteristics. Since handguns and weapons are high-risk and high-cost protective solutions, the rational actor perspective implies that individuals will only consider those as a last resort when other options have been attempted and have failed. Alternatively, such solutions may very strongly appeal to those who tend not to consider risk (low self-control) and who have attitudes that are more favorable to violence. Using data from the 2002-3 Seattle Neighborhoods and Crime Survey, we explore the predictors of these preferences using Osgood and Schreck’s (2007) IRT-based model for studying specialization.

Authors

• Chris Schreck, Rochester Institute of Technology

• Bonnie S. Fisher, University of Cincinnati

• Pamela Wilcox, University of Cincinnati

• Mark Berg, University of Iowa