A heightened fear of crime stemming from exposure to media accounts about the growing crime problem is an example of which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vicarious victimization refers to the assertion that people can themselves be victimized by media accounts of crime, even if they have not directly experienced any criminal acts. This concept has been documented in research on media effects in the crime area, which shows that exposure to news about crime and violence can heighten people's fears and exacerbate their concerns about crime, leading to feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. In this case, the heightened fear of crime stemming from the exposure to media accounts about the growing crime problem is a clear example of vicarious victimization.

A Heightened Fear of Crime Stemming from Exposure to Media