NCJ Number
65440
Date Published
1978
Length
108 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK EXAMINES AGGRESSION AND CRIMINALITY OF ADOLESCENCE, USING THEORIES FROM A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SCIENTISTS, OTHER RESEARCH, AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
Abstract
THE BOOK ARGUES THAT AGGRESSION AND ITS RAMIFICATIONS ARE LEARNED, NOT INSTINCTIVE. CRIMINALITY (VIOLENCE) OF CERTAIN TYPES IS A RESPONSE TO AGGRESSION AND A REACTION TO AN ILLOGICAL, AMBIVALENT SOCIETY. CHANGES IN SOCIAL THINKING AS SOCIETY GROWS FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT CHALLENGE ANY STATIC CONCEPTS OF AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE. VIOLENCE IN MODERN SOCIETY CAN BE COMPARED TO RITUALISTIC VIOLENCE OF THE ANCIENTS. ATTITUDES OF THE PUBLIC, THE JUDICIARY, AND THE MEDIA HAVE AFFECTED THE INCREASE AND SEVERITY OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. ADOLESCENTS DISPLAYING CRIMINALITY AND AGGRESSION RANGE FROM NEUROSIS-BOUND OR EGO-CONTROLLED CHILDREN TO CHILDREN IN WHOM CRUCIAL NORMAL BEHAVIOR CONTROLS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY THOSE WHO HATED, ABUSED, AND NEGLECTED THEM WHEN THEY WERE WEAK AND DEPENDENT. THESE ANGRY INDIVIDUALS POSE MAJOR DIFFICULTIES TO ANYONE ATTEMPTING TO WORK WITH THEM. SPECIFIC WAYS TO DEAL WITH AGGRESSIVE ADOLESCENTS INCLUDE (1) PROVIDING A PROPER ATMOSPHERE OR ENVIRONMENT IN, FOR EXAMPLE, A THERAPEUTIC GROUP HOME; (2) EXPECTING A MARGIN OF DESTRUCTIVENESS AND WASTE; (3) PROVISION OF ROUTINE WITH PERIODIC INSERTIONS OF EGO-SUPPORTIVE VALUES; (4) PROVIDING PHYSICAL PROXIMITY AND AFFECTION BY ADULTS; (5) APPROPRIATE USE OF HUMOR; (6) USE OF MILD REPRIMANDS FOR INCORRECT BEHAVIOR AND STRONG APPROVAL FOR CORRECT BEHAVIOR; (7) USE OF PUNISHMENT ONLY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND (8) PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN COMMUNICATION AND NEGOTIATING SKILLS. REDUCING SIZES OF PRISONS, PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION, AND CHANGING ADULT SOCIETY ARE ALSO IMPORTANT WAYS OF REDUCING AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE. NOTES AND A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)