Toward the Measurement and Prediction of Victim Proneness

• NCJ Number: 91275
• Journal: Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1983) Pages: 243-261
• Author(s): D Thissen; H Wainer
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 80-IJ-CX-0075
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Two samples (each of 500 households), were drawn from the data gathered by the National Crime Survey (NCS), were analyzed using a nonlinear response model. Researchers discovered that some aspects of victim proneness can be predicted from social characteristics of households.

Abstract

For some purposes direct nonlinear regression is more useful. The theoretical approach developed might be fruitful in resolving difficulties arising from assignation of crimes to households or persons; by providing simplified parameters of victimization, it would allow better testing of alternative hypotheses about the structure of victimization. This has important consequences for testing of efficacy of intervention programs. (Author abstract modified)