Affect Theory in Rural Criminology Roundtable

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

Affect theory provides a valuable analytical framework for criminologists to analyse relationships between individuals and their social environments. By focusing on emotion as a dynamic and transmissible component of human interaction, affect theory allows criminologists to account for the less tangible – but nonetheless extremely significant—aspects of the justice process.
Despite the tremendous potential utility for affect theory to assist criminologists with conceptualizing crime and justice, affect remains surprisingly underutilized in criminological research. This is particularly the case when considering the rural space and criminology. This roundtable will allow the exploration of affect among rural citizens, and how crime and victimisation impacts community cohesion through collective psychological effects. The roundtable discussion will allow for the exploration of crime, security, and victimisation within the rural space and how this can influence the psychological health and wellbeing of those communities. The discussion will furthermore explore more widely the impact the response from the wider criminal justice system to rural crime has on confidence, trust, and mental health of rural communities.

Subtopic

• Topic 3: Crime Correlates / Rural Criminology (Rural Criminology WG)

Chair

• Susan Dewey, The University of Alabama

Discussants

• Kreseda Smith, Harper Adams University

• Brittany VandeBerg, University of Alabama