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The relationship between media portrayals and crime: perceptions of fear of crime among citizens

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Crime Prevention and Community Safety Aims and scope

Abstract

Fear of crime has been an area of increasing concern in criminological research in recent years. This is a study of (1) the relationship between media portrayals of crime and the prevalence of fear of crime, and (2) the key demographic correlates of fear of crime in the study community. The study resulted in three key findings. Results indicate several weak but positive relationships between media influence and fear of crime. Theoretical, research, and policy implications are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Predictive and Analytic Police Science, School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Strategic Studies, Tarleton State University, Fort Worth, TX, USA

    Meghan E. Hollis & Alex del Carmen

  2. School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Strategic Studies, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX, USA

    Sharece Downey

  3. Department of Criminal Justice, Tarleton State University, Fort Worth, TX, USA

    Rhonda R Dobbs

Authors
  1. Meghan E. Hollis
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  2. Sharece Downey
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  3. Alex del Carmen
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  4. Rhonda R Dobbs
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Correspondence to Meghan E. Hollis.

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Hollis, M.E., Downey, S., del Carmen, A. et al. The relationship between media portrayals and crime: perceptions of fear of crime among citizens. Crime Prev Community Saf 19, 46–60 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-017-0015-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-017-0015-6

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