Study title

These data were collected for the first study on public support for vigilantism. The data collection was carried out by Leiden University criminology students, for the 'Research methods' course. Respondents received 1 vignette about vigilantism and a questionnaire. There were 4 versions of the vignette, based on 2 experimental factors: the level of premeditation of vigilantism (low/high), and the seriousness of the precipitating crime (low/high). Vigilantism consisted of violence after an alleged case of swindle in a bar (too little change). The questionnaire consists of 9 questions about vigilantism in the case study, and 11 questions about the justice system (confidence in the justice system, vigilantism and general concern over crime). Lastly, they responded to a few questions about demographics. To study the causes of public support for vigilantism. There are two main hypotheses: 1. Confidence hypothesis: support for vigilantism is caused by a low/lack of confidence in the criminal justice system 2. Situation hypothesis: support for vigilantism depends on situational characteristics of vigilantism itself Specific hypotheses for this particular study: a) the more premeditation, the less support b) the more serious the premeditating crime, the more support c) the more confidence in the justice system, the less support d) the more general concern over crime, the more support.

Data available in consultation with NSCR. Please contact the datamanager [datamanagement@nscr.nl]