Positivist & Critical

• What is the focus of positivist victimology?

  It aims to identify factors that produce patterns of victimisation.
• What types of crimes does positivist victimology primarily focus on?

  It focuses on interpersonal crimes of violence.
• How does positivist victimology define interpersonal crimes of violence?


  These crimes involve one person using power and control over another through various threats or actions.
• What does positivist victimology aim to identify regarding victims?

  It aims to identify victims who have contributed to their own victimisation.
• What concept did early positivist studies focus on?

  Victim proneness.
• Who identified 13 characteristics of victims in 1948?

  Von Hentig.
• What are some characteristics identified by Von Hentig that may lead to victimisation?

  Being female, elderly, or ‘mentally subnormal’.
• What did Wolfgang's 1958 study find about murders in Philadelphia?

  26% of murders involved victim precipitation.
• What does victim precipitation refer to?

  When the victim triggers the events leading to their victimisation.
• What does Brookman (2005) note about Wolfgang's findings?

  It highlights the importance of the victim-offender relationship.
• What is a criticism of positivist victimology regarding victim blaming?

  It is criticized for suggesting that victims 'ask for it'.
• What important structural factors does positivist victimology ignore?

  Factors such as patriarchy.
• What does critical victimology reject about positivist victimology?

  It rejects the idea that it ignores wider structural factors influencing victimisation.
• What are the two key elements of critical victimology?

  Structural factors and the state's power to label victims.
• How do structural factors affect victimisation according to critical victimology?

  Powerless groups such as women and the poor are at greater risk of victimisation.
• What role does the state play in the labeling of victims?

  The state selectively applies or denies the label of victim.
• What is an example of a crime of the powerful leading to victimisation?

  Environmental crimes such as the Bhopal disaster.
• What do Tombs and Whyte (2007) argue about 'safety crimes'?

  They are often explained away as the fault of 'accident prone' workers.
• What ideological function does the denial of victim status serve according to Tombs and Whyte?

  It hides the true extent of victimisation and its real causes.
• What is a strength of critical victimology?

  It highlights how victim status is socially constructed.
• What is a criticism of critical victimology?

  It ignores the role victims play in their own victimisation.
• What groups are at the greatest risk of victimisation according to the conclusion of the study material?

  • The poor
  • Ethnic minorities
  • The young
• What does critical victimology highlight about victimisation in a global context?

  • It draws attention to the globalisation of victimisation.
  • Includes victims of cybercrimes, green crimes, and state crimes.
• What are some recommended further readings on victimology?

  • Webb R et al. (2016) AQA A level Sociology, Book Two.
  • Webb R & Trobe K. (2016) Succeed at A Level Sociology, Book Two.
  • Browne K. (2016) Sociology for AQA Vol 2.
• What are some sample A level questions related to victimology?

  1. Outline two features of critical victimology.
  2. Outline three patterns of victimisation.
  3. Analyse two factors that influence victimisation.
  4. Evaluate sociological approaches to victimisation.