Identifying stalking: The relevance of intent in commonsense reasoning.

Abstract

The present research examines the effect of intent, persistence, relationship, and consequences on community perceptions of stalking. Responses of 1,080 members of the community to a series of scenarios indicated that the presence of explicit evidence of intent was not the only way stalking behavior was identified. Behavior was also identified as stalking as a greater degree of persistence was depicted. Females more often than males perceived the behavior as stalking and inferred intent to cause fear or harm. Most participants who identified the behavior as stalking also indicated that it should be illegal. These results may assist in guiding ongoing debates over appropriate stalking legislation and strategies to reduce the incidence of stalking, as well as indicating whether education regarding stalking laws is required.

Framing and perceptions of stalking: the influence of conduct severity and the perpetrator–target relationship

“…Further, conduct severity influenced perceptions of whether the situation necessitated police intervention and would cause the target alarm, personal distress or to fear the use of violence. These findings are in line with previous research (e.g., Dennison, 2007;Dennison & Thomson, 2002;Hills & Taplin, 1998;Phillips et al, 2004;Scott & Sheridan, 2011). Conduct severity did not have any effect on perceptions of whether the target was responsible for encouraging the perpetrator's behaviour or was able to help resolve the situation.…”

“…This finding indicates a clear 21 distinction in perceptions of behaviour that is considered 'unreasonable' and that which is considered 'illegal'. However, it contrasts with that of Dennison and Thomson (2002) who found a high level of correspondence between classifications of stalking and illegal behaviour. Further research is needed to determine whether these contrasting findings reflect methodological differences or represent a cross-national difference given that Dennison and Thomson's (2002) research was conducted in Australia.…”

“…It is therefore important that research continues to investigate perceptions of stalking, particularly given that research has reported contrasting findings regarding the classification of behaviour as stalking and the classification of the same behaviour as illegal. For example, Dennison and Thomson (2002) found a high level of correspondence between classifications of stalking and illegal behaviour. In contrast, Phillips et al (2004) found that participants believed behaviour constituted stalking to a greater extent than they believed it constituted a crime.…”

“…Collectively, the body of research indicates that behaviour is more likely to be considered stalking when the behaviour is persistent (Dennison, 2007;Dennison & Thomson, 2002;Phillips et al, 2004;Scott & Sheridan, 2011), when the perpetrator clearly intends to cause the target fear or harm (Dennison, 2007;Dennison & Thomson, 2002;Phillips et al, 2004;Scott & Sheridan, 2011), and when the perpetrator is portrayed as a stranger rather than an 5 acquaintance or ex-partner (Cass, 2011;Phillips et al 2004;Scott, Lloyd, & Gavin, 2010;Scott & Sheridan, 2011;Sheridan, Gillett, Davies, Blaauw, & Patel, 2003). Research has also demonstrated that behaviour is more likely to be perceived to necessitate police intervention, and cause the target alarm, personal distress and to fear the use of violence when the behaviour is persistent and the perpetrator is portrayed as a stranger (e.g., Dennison, 2007;Hills & Taplin, 1998;Scott et al, 2010;Scott & Sheridan, 2011;.…”

“…Whilst previous research has included questions regarding stalking and questions regarding the legality of behaviour (e.g., Dennison & Thomson, 2002;Phillips et al, 2004), these studies utilised within-participant designs 8 whereby participants were first asked whether the behaviour constituted stalking before being asked whether it represented an illegal act. A significant body of research has demonstrated that the context provided by questions can influence responses to subsequent questions (see Tourangeau & Rasinski, 1988 for a review).…”