Assessing Behavior (From Victimology Research Agenda Development, Volume 1, P 21-39, 1980, Judith S Dahmann and Joseph H Sasfy, ed. See NCJ-76275)

• NCJ Number: 76277
• Author(s): W G Skogan
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 19 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Criminal justice studies employing behavioral indices can better gauge the effect of precautionary measures upon varying group crime rates by a greater focus upon general behavioral dimensions, improved methodologies, more realistic models of human processes, and research on the impact of crime prevention efforts.

Abstract

Precautionary behavior is the mechanism that often accounts for differing victimization rates of various groups. However, little research is done on the relationship between exposure to crime and crime prevention efforts. One of the most vexing shortcomings of many research reports is their item-by-item focus upon behavior. Instead, crime-related behavioral research must focus upon general behavioral dimensions rather than upon specific instances of activity. An ability to generalize across specific behaviors and behavioral contexts would serve to increase the generality of findings -thereby facilitating substitution between behaviors and reducing errors in measurement. Methodological obstacles to accurately assessing crime prevention behavior include retrospective recall, knowledge of household activities, and frequency estimation. Validity and record checks, as well as a multiple indicators survey approach, are some of the means to ensure reliable and internally consistent data. Application of the resultant data to plausible models of human processes must involve reciprocal relationships over time between experience and behavior and other recursive processes. Because victimization data are gathered retrospectively, while most assessments of behavior and cognitions reflect current states, these models demand panel data to be gathered on individuals over time. Because many kinds of behavior spread by diffusion rather than by independent invention, models of diffusion processes focusing upon time-independent behavior are required. In conclusion, more information is needed on the impact of crime prevention efforts undertaken at the individual, neighborhood, and community levels. Twenty-four references are provided.