NCJ Number
57585
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 148-161
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
INTERVIEWS WITH 65 WHITE BRITISH MALES WERE ANALYZED TO DISCOVER WHETHER OR NOT VIOLENCE IS HOSTILE RATHER THAN INSTRUMENTAL AGGRESSION.
Abstract
THIS STUDY PROPOSES THAT MANY INCIDENCES OF VIOLENCE ARE BETTER UNDERSTOOD AS HOSTILE AGGRESSION, DIRECTED MAINLY TOWARD THE INJURY OF THE INTENDED TARGET, RATHER THAN AS INSTRUMENTAL AGGRESSION, WHICH IS CARRIED OUT TO ATTAIN SOCIAL APPROVAL, A NOTION WIDELY ACCEPTED BY STUDENTS OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE. A SAMPLE OF 65 ADULT WHITE MALES, AGED 18 TO 43 (WITH A MAJORITY IN THEIR LATE 20'S) WERE CHOSEN TO BE INTERVIEWED BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF INFLICTING EITHER ACTUAL OR GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM ON ANOTHER MALE, BUT NOT IN THE COURSE OF A ROBBERY. THEY ALL TENDED TO BE PERSISTENT TROUBLEMAKERS FROM WORKING CLASS BACKGROUNDS. THIRTY-SIX QUESTIONS WERE RECORDED BY THE INTERVIEWERS AND THEN REVIEWED BY TWO JUDGES. FINDINGS SHOWED THAT: (1) THE INCIDENT LEADING TO THE ARREST WAS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE GROWN OUT OF AN ARGUMENT THAN TO BE THE RESULT OF ANY OTHER FACTOR, WITH MOST RESPONDENTS CLAIMING THEY DID NOT STRIKE FIRST; (2) OFFENDERS DESCRIBED THEIR BEHAVIOR AS DRIVEN, ALMOST COMPULSORY IN NATURE; (3) A COMMON DESIRE WAS THAT OF SECURITY OR SELF-PROTECTION, THESE BEING MORE IMPORTANT THAN REPUTATION; (4) RESPONDENTS FELT THEIR AGGRESSION WAS PROVOKED BY SOMEONE ELSE'S ACTIONS--AFTER AN ATTEMPT AT SELF-RESTRAINT, THEY LOST CONTROL; (5) 97 PERCENT NEVER MENTIONED WANTING OR EXPECTING APPROVAL FOR THEIR AGGRESSION; AND (6) THE PERCEIVED THREAT TO SELF-CONCEPT OFTEN INFURIATED THE RESPONDENTS, STIMULATING THEM TO LASH OUT IMPULSIVELY AT THE ANTAGONIST, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAD BEEN DRINKING. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE GROUP WAS QUITE SMALL AND FUTURE RESEARCH IS NEEDED, THESE MEN GENERALLY INFURIATED BY WHAT THEY SAW AS THREATS TO THEIR SELF-ESTEEM, AND CONCERNED ONLY WITH THE PRESENT, THEY REACTED MORE FREQUENTLY WITH INTENT TO INJURE, RATHER THAN FOR SOCIAL REWARDS. IN ANYTHING, PRIDE APPEARED TO BE FAR MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN DIRECT EXTERNAL BENEFITS. REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (MHP)