‘I am not going to hurt you’: On the Micro-Dynamics of Fear and Violence

This research explores the experience of being feared. In doing this, an under-researched and little understood perspective of fear of crime is addressed. The research investigated the phenomenon of being feared from a micro-sociological perspective and this focus has allowed a better understand the dynamics of fearful encounters. It highlights the intensions, actions and feelings of those who are perceived by the public and in communities as potential offenders, as ‘fearsome’ and ‘intimidating’. This thesis relies on qualitative interviews with police officers, soldiers, bouncers, gym-goers, students and young people. These strategically selected groups allow the research to understand a wide breadth of contexts in which being feared can be experienced. The unique elements of these groups are drawn out in addition to overarching thematic parallels. Alongside this methodology, a Goffmanian conceptual framework is used. This supports and highlights the importance symbolism, the giving and receiving of expressive information, and the expectations people have of the behaviour and intensions of others. The research also discusses the processes of learning to be feared and thus distils the ways in which fear is recognised in others. This research highlights the impact that appearance and corporeal aspects have on being feared. The research also introduces and develops four sides to the micro-dynamics of being feared. These four pillars of fear consider the purposeful causing or augmentation of fear in others within encounters, the accidental causing of fear, the dynamics of alleviating fear within an encounter and the competence of instilling fear in situations where it is not present.