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Motivating factors for perpetrators to participate in victim-offender mediation : replicating the relationship effect

Groeneveld, L.H. (2017) Motivating factors for perpetrators to participate in victim-offender mediation : replicating the relationship effect.

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Abstract:What motivates perpetrators to participate in Victim-Offender Mediation (VOM)? A former study found that having a relationship with the victim positively influences perpetrators’ willingness to participate (the relationship effect). This study tried to replicate this result and tested two explanations for this effect. It was expected that a high need for acceptance and tendency to avoid escalations amongst perpetrators would mediate this effect. Participants filled in a questionnaire and had to empathize with the idea of stealing from someone. Two conditions were created: ‘no relationship’ vs. ‘relationship’. The participants were provided with a story and a video, where a scenario of a theft was presented. Unexpectedly, the relationship effect was not replicated in this study: Being in a relationship with the victim did not have any influence on the willingness of perpetrators to participate in VOM. Moreover, no significant indirect effects were found regarding the proposed mediators. The most important limitation of this study would be the fact that the manipulation could not have been strong enough. In the end, it would be important to conduct more research considering this topic, as VOM could lead to multiple positive effects: less fear and anger amongst victims, and less recidivism of perpetrators.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/72722
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