"Memory Defficiencies" in Victimization Surveys: Responses in retrospective surveys are subject to different biaises associated largely with problems of memory recall. In victimaziation surveys, it is necessary to provide exact dates for the events mentioned. Among errors of date by respondents, Wesley G. Skogan distinguished three forms of chronological displacement (telescoping). On the basis of two victimization surveys in France, it is possible to show evidence for two of these forms (backward telescoping towards the reference period and forward telescoping within the period of reference), but not for the third (forward telescoping toward the period of reference). However, a more detailed analysis of one of these surveys reveals the possible influence of the seasonal variation of delinquency on the survey responses.
Auriat, Nadia ( 1996), Les défaillances de la mémoire humaine. Aspects cognitifs des enquêtes rétrospectives, Paris, INED, Cahier n° 136.
2.
Dumartin, Sylvie, et Catherine Taché (2001), Évaluation de la qualité de l'environnement, des nuisances et de l'insécurité. Indicateurs sociaux annuels, Paris, INSEE, collection Résultats. Consommation-modes de vie, n° 107.
3.
Grémy, Jean-Paul ( 2001), Mesurer la délinquance à partir du témoignage des victimes. L'enquête pilote IHESI-INSEE de janvier 1999, Paris, Institut des Hautes Études de la Sécurité Intérieure, collection Études et recherches.
4.
Grémy, Jean-Paul ( 2006), L'enquête nationale de victimation nord-américaine (National Crime Survey), Paris, Cahiers duCentre d'Analyse et de Mathématique Sociales, n° 252.
5.
Moss, Louis, et Harvey Goldstein (1979) (sous la direction de), The Recall Method in Social Surveys, Londres, University of London Institute of Education.
6.
Robert, Philippe, Bruno Aubusson de Cavarlay, Marie-Lys Pottier, et Pierre Tournier ( 1994), Les comptes du crime. Les délinquances en France et leurs mesures, Paris, l'Harmattan .
7.
Skogan, Wesley G. ( 1981), Issues in the Measurement of Victimization, Washington, D.C., United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics.
8.
Van der Veen, AAD, et Jacques Eversdijk (1996), International Crime Victimization Survey 1996, Amsterdam, Inter/ View.
