Victimology

While watching Investigation ID on my television the other night, I heard one of the investigators use the word “victimology.”

“Geez,” I said to myself, “what a cool-sounding word!  What does it mean?”

I did some investigation.

Over the years, enough people have been forced to write thesis papers in order to escape academia that a theory for over-explaining pretty much everything has emerged and then been further expounded upon.  “Victimology” theories are a prime example of that.

Yes, I did use the plural.  Several theories now exist.

Lifestyle-Exposure Theory:

Lifestyle-Exposure Theory (offered by Michael Hindenlang, Michael Gottfredson, and James Garofalo) proposes that certain sub-groups of people run a greater risk of victimization than other groups.  For example, a woman who moves into a neighborhood where an ax-murder is committed nightly may be at higher risk than, say, a woman who lives in a high-rise filled with dedicated marshmallow makers.  In another extension of this theory, hanging out with bad people in bad places is thought to increase the likelihood of victimization.

I submit this now: Who saw that before this theory came to light in 1978?

Routine Activity Theory:

Routine Activity Theory (proffered by Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson) suggests that crime increases where both unsupervised people and unprotected people regularly mix.

I just don’t know how I can possible add to that.  I would like to say, in conclusion, that I may have shortened this theory in gross fashion and would never have managed to escape the halls of academia with my sixteen word thesis.

Offshoot Theories:

Several offshoot theories based on the aforementioned have appeared in the time since the publication of the original theories.  I had intended to explain some offshoot theories here, but just as I started to write, 20 pounds of housecat with hairballs strolled past me.  I decided that the cat might be a good hair-brushing victim.

I went with brushing my cat.

You’re welcome.

--Mitchell Hegman