International perceptions of stalking and responsibility: the influence of prior relationship and severity of behavior

This study investigates the influence of prior relationship and severity of behavior on perceptions of stalking and responsibility with a combined sample of 1,080 members of the community from Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Participants were presented with 1 of 12 versions of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Scott, Adrian J. (Author)
Contributors: Rajakaruna, Nikki ; Sheridan, Lorraine ; Sleath, Emma
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2014
In: Criminal justice and behavior
Year: 2014, Volume: 41, Issue: 2, Pages: 220-236
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Keywords:
Perceptions
Prior relationship
Stalking
just world hypothesis
severity of behavior
Description
Summary:This study investigates the influence of prior relationship and severity of behavior on perceptions of stalking and responsibility with a combined sample of 1,080 members of the community from Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Participants were presented with 1 of 12 versions of a hypothetical stalking scenario and responded to scale items regarding the behavior of a male perpetrator toward a female target. Prior relationship and severity of behavior influenced perceptions of stalking and responsibility, and the pattern of findings was consistent across the three countries. The perpetrator?s behavior was perceived to constitute stalking, and necessitate police intervention and a criminal conviction to the greatest extent when the perpetrator and target were portrayed as strangers. In addition, the target was perceived to be the least responsible and the perpetrator was perceived to be the most responsible when they were portrayed as strangers.
ISSN:1552-3594
DOI:10.1177/0093854813500956