3 Modern Theories of Victimology

Victimology is a criminology subfield focused on crime victims. It highlights three key theories — victim precipitation, lifestyle and deviant place — explaining why some individuals are more likely to be victimized.

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Read time 4 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published on Jan 9, 2025

Since the early 1990s, the incidence rates of both violent crimes and property crimes have significantly declined in the U.S., falling up to 71% from 1993 through 2022.¹ However, every crime is one too many. Some criminal justice experts, known as criminologists, focus on the study of crime itself and criminal behavior. Others focus on victimology.

What is victimology and why is it important? Explore the typical victimology definition and reflect upon three modern theories of why criminal acts may happen.

What Is Victimology?

As a subfield of criminology, the victimology definition encompasses the study of crime victims and their experiences. People who study victimology or victimization examine the psychological effects of crimes on victims, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system and the relationships between victims and offenders. Victimology is also the exploration of the characteristics of crime victims.²

Modern theories of victimology try to explain why some are more likely than others to become victims of a crime. Other theories consider how victims may use coping mechanisms to heal, while still others seek to develop a greater understanding of victimization and criminal behavior and how the roles of victim and criminal may sometimes be reversed (e.g., a criminal may become a victim, and a victim may become a criminal).²

Why is victimology important? Developing a more enlightened understanding of crime victims, their characteristics and the impact of criminal behavior on them is important because it can inform more effective policies and procedures in criminal justice. A better understanding of crime victims may lead to better or more appropriate support for them. In some cases, victimology may even support more effective rehabilitation measures for criminal offenders, helping them to reintegrate into society while reducing recidivism rates.²

Victimology in Criminology: Examining 3 Theories

Now that you have a general understanding of victimology in criminology, it’s time to take a closer look at three main theories of victimology:

Victim precipitation theory
Lifestyle theory
Deviant place theory

All three theories seek to understand why certain people may be more likely than others to become victims of crime.

It’s critical to understand that these theories do not seek to shift blame for the crime to the victim; no one deserves to be victimized. Rather, these theories seek to understand why criminals may decide to target certain people instead of others.

Victim Precipitation Theory

The victim precipitation theory suggests that the characteristics of the victim precipitate the crime. That is, a criminal could single out a victim because the victim is of a certain ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. The victim precipitation theory is particularly relevant when discussing hate crimes.

However, this theory does not only involve hate crimes directed at specific groups of people. It might also involve occupations or activities. For example, someone who is opposed to his or her views may target a political activist, elected official or candidate. An employee may target a recently promoted employee if he or she believes they deserved the promotion instead of their victim.

Lifestyle Theory

The lifestyle theory suggests that certain people may become the victims of crimes because of their lifestyles and choices. While addiction is a disease, not a lifestyle choice,³ it’s generally included in this category of victimology theories. For example, someone with a gambling or substance addiction could be seen as an “easy victim” by a con artist.

Walking alone at night in a dangerous area, conspicuously wearing expensive jewelry, leaving doors unlocked and associating with known criminals are other lifestyle characteristics that may lead to victimization.

Deviant Place Theory

There is some overlap between the lifestyle theory and the deviant place theory. The deviant place theory states that an individual is more likely to become the victim of a crime when exposed to dangerous areas.⁴

In other words, a mugger may be more likely to target a person walking alone after dark in a bad neighborhood. The more frequently a person ventures into dangerous neighborhoods where violent crime is common, the greater the risk of victimization.

There is also some overlap between the deviant place theory and socioeconomic approaches to victimization. Low-income households are more likely to be in or near dangerous areas of town, and individuals from poor socioeconomic backgrounds are less capable of moving away from these dangerous areas.⁴

What Degree Do I Need To Explore Victimology?

There is no one universal degree that’s required to pursue a career in victimology. However, any type of criminologist is generally expected to earn a relevant degree, such as one in criminal justice (or justice studies), forensic science, psychology or sociology.^5,6

Career requirements can vary depending on one’s specific career path, but a master’s degree may be preferred or required. Graduate-level education should focus more closely on criminology and victimology.^5,6

Earn Your BS in Justice Studies From GCU

Victimology, threat assessment and criminal behavior are just a few of the topics you will examine in Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies degree program. This program is offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and provides a solid framework that students may draw from as they pursue careers in the criminal justice field. You can also explore a degree in psychology, sociology and forensic science to get started on this career path.

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