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Warsaw 2009: Presentations and short courses

Fear of crime and motivated social cognition: Evidence from round 3 of the European Social Survey

Session: Social Indicators of Trust in Criminal Justice

Authors:

Carolyn Cote-Lussier; London School of Economics, United Kingdom
Monica M. Gerber; London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom
Jonathan P. Jackson; London School of Economics, United Kingdom

Abstract:

In this paper we draw links between fear of crime and psychological needs and preferences regarding social structure and stability. We build upon existing evidence that fear of crime expresses public concerns about norms and values in society, about conflicts and divisions, forms of social and moral ordering, and the manner in which society is regulated and governed. We analyse data from the European Social Survey to explore the relationship between fear of crime and the cognitive-motivational preferences that drive desired social conditions. And we discuss the findings with regard to John Jost’s system justification theory and the work of Jonathan Haidt on moral instincts.