Analyzing the findings of 20 studies, involving more than 5,000 people, this book explores the decision making process of the crime victim in the immediate aftermath of victimization. Using a broad range of innovative research techniques, the authors assess the effects of rape, robbery, burglary, and theft on individuals from diverse nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. This work will be of value to people who work directly with crime victims, and to researchers who are interested in the process of decision making under stressful circumstances.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. An Experimental Approach to Victim Decision Making.- 3. Experimental Studies on the Role of Social Influence in Victim Decision Making.- 4. Eyewitness Identification by Theft Victims.- 5. Analyses Across Experimental Studies.- 6. Normative Expectations for Calling the Police.- 7. Archival Analyses.- 8. Self-Reports: Surveying Crime Victims.- 9. A Model of Crime-Victim Decision Making.- 10. Summary and Implications of the Research.- Appendix: A Lawsuit against the Researchers.- Description of the Incident.- The Lawsuit.- Causes of Action.- Damages.- The Immediate Aftermath of the Filing.- Pretrial Discovery.- The Trial.- The Plaintiff's Case.- Motion for a Directed Verdict.- The Verdict.- Posttrial Activities.- The Defendants' Case.- Reasonableness of the Procedures.- Sensitivity of the Participant.- Consequences of the Lawsuit.- Lessons to Be Learned.- Should the Study Have Been Conducted?.- Could This Research Be Conducted Today?.- References.- Table of Cases.