Self-Reported Aggression and Impulsivity in Forensic and Non-Forensic Populations: The Role of Gender and Experience

• NCJ Number: 216967
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 21 Issue: 7 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 425-437
• Author(s): Paul Smith; Mitch Waterman
• Date Published: October 2006
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined aggressive beliefs and self-rated aggressive behavior and impulsivity in a sample of forensic and non-forensic populations and the role of gender and experience.

Abstract

The prediction was proven that offenders (differentiated by gender and conviction for a violent or nonviolent index offense) would show substantive differences in self-reports compared to non-offenders. These results are consistent with previous studies. A trend of increasing scores between the undergraduates, non-violent offenders, and violent offenders was evident across all measures. Elevated scores were found for aggression and impulsivity which predicted behavioral aggression across the sample. In summary, the data suggests that aggressive behavior is best conceptualized as a continuum across the population rather than pathology present in subgroups of that population. Gender effects appear to emerge as a function of the measures employed and sample selection. The existence of gender differences is one of the most robust findings in aggression research. However, on closer examination, the reasons for these differences appear to be incredibly complex with a wide range of variables appearing to influence the behavior. The effect of these variables is often gender specific. This study sought to collect a detailed self-report profile within both forensic and undergraduate samples that incorporated information on beliefs about aggression, self-reported levels of aggression, and impulsivity, together with self-reports of the frequency, type, and duration of aggressive episodes experienced in the past 6 months. It was predicted that offenders would show substantive differences in self-reports compared to non-offenders consistent with the results of previous studies. It was predicted that this pattern would be repeated in the undergraduate sample. Lastly it was predicted that gender differences on the questionnaire measures for those offenders convicted of violent offenses would be minimized. A total of 484 participants both male and female took part in the study. Tables and references