The Effect of Weather on Assault

Abstract

This paper examines the role of local weather conditions in explaining variations in assault, in sub-tropical Brisbane, Australia. It details the extent to which local variations in weather are important in shaping the necessary preconditions for assault to take place. Results suggest that higher daily temperatures are associated with an increased propensity for assault at the neighborhood level after controlling for seasonal effects. Assaults occur significantly less frequently in summer than in spring and there is a greater propensity for assaults to occur on weekends compared to weekdays. Neighborhood disadvantage, ethnic diversity, and the presence of risky facilities such bars, schools, or shops increased the propensity for assault above and beyond the effect of temperature. Findings are important in their capacity to isolate the effect of the prevailing local weather conditions whilst controlling for seasonal variations, land use, and the socio-economic and demographic context within which assaults took place.

The Relationship Criminal Behaviour Towards Quality of Life Based on Weather Changes: A Systematic Literature Review

“…On the other hand, extreme temperatures were not a significant predictor of assault. After controlling seasonal variables, Corcoran and Zahnow (2021) found that higher daily temperatures are associated with an increased tendency for assault at the neighbourhood level. According to findings, climate change and human behaviour are closely linked to the quality of life.…”

“…The quality of life has been classified into seven dimension; (a) environmental (Bracy et al, 2014;Mohit, 2013a;Mouratidis, 2021;Din et al, 2013); (b) physical (Bracy et al, 2014;Mohit, 2013a); (c) mobility (Bracy et al, 2014;Din et al, 2013); (d) social (Corcoran & Zahnow, 2021;Ghani, 2017a;Mohit, 2013a;Soh, 2012); (e) psychological (Corcoran & Zahnow, 2021;Kitchen & Williams, 2010;Lynch et al, 2020;Din et al, 2013;Trujillo & Howley, 2021); (f) economic (Ghani, 2017a;Din et al, 2013); (g) political (Ghani, 2017a;Mohit, 2013a;Din et al, 2013;Soh, 2012). Four out of seven dimension have been chosen to be applied in this study namely, (a) physical (Bracy et al, 2014;Mohit, 2013a); (b) psychological (Corcoran & Zahnow, 2021;Kitchen & Williams, 2010;Lynch et al, 2020;Serag El Din et al, 2013;Trujillo & Howley, 2021); (c) environment (Bracy et al, 2014;Mohit, 2013a;Mouratidis, 2021;Serag El Din et al, 2013); (d) social (Corcoran & Zahnow, 2021;Ghani, 2017a;Mohit, 2013a;Soh, 2012). To address the relationship between quality of life and crime based on weather changes, Figure 2 illustrate a conceptual framework domain related to crime and weather.…”

“…In addition, the study on "The Effects of Weather on Crime" by Horrocks and Menclova (2011) indiated that the weather could be used as an instrumental variable in analysing crime's effect on several variables such as property prices and quality of life indices, economic growth, etc. Besides, some scholars have examined the weather-crime association from an alternative perspective, suggesting that heat may induce psychological changes that facilitate intolerance and aggression leading to a greater violent crime (Corcoran & Zahnow, 2021;Ranson, 2014). Meanwhile, Lynch et al (2020) explained that high temperatures should simulate aggressive behaviour, stress, or disruptions in usual routines, resulting in more violent crime.…”

“…The article on environment and behaviour entitled "The Effect of Weather on Assault" by Corcoran and Zahnow (2021) discusses how local weather conditions can explain geographic variations in assaults. Corcoran and Zahnow (2021) also looked into the studies conducted by Cohen and Felson (1979); Cohn and Rotton (2000); Horrocks and Menclova (2011), and also from the first sociologist Adolphe Quetelet in the 1800s in setting up their research regarding the relationship between crime and weather. (Corcoran & Zahnow, 2021) used microgeographic crime and weather data as their variables to examine the location and timing of police-reported assaults.…”

“…Corcoran and Zahnow (2021) also looked into the studies conducted by Cohen and Felson (1979); Cohn and Rotton (2000); Horrocks and Menclova (2011), and also from the first sociologist Adolphe Quetelet in the 1800s in setting up their research regarding the relationship between crime and weather. (Corcoran & Zahnow, 2021) used microgeographic crime and weather data as their variables to examine the location and timing of police-reported assaults. The first-stage analysis to estimate a negative binomial multilevel regression model with random effect.…”