NCJ Number
14617
Date Published
1970
Length
94 pages
Annotation
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF VIOLENCE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND A REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES WHICH MIGHT EXPLAIN IT.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT, DUE TO HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS, THE POTENTIAL VIOLENT BEHAVIOR THAT IS PRESENT IN ALL MEN IS MORE LIKELY TO MAKE ITSELF MANIFEST IN THE UNITED STATES THAN IN EUROPE. THE AUTHOR SEES A WIDESPREAD AND CONTINUOUS USE OF VIOLENCE THROUGHOUT AMERICAN HISTORY AS THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEM IN THE COUNTRY TODAY. HE SUGGESTS AS OTHER FACTORS THE POOR UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN, THE EMASCULATION OF THE MALE ROLE, WEAK FAMILY TIES, THE ABSENCE OF RESTRAINING INFLUENCES, THE COMFORT AND EASE OF AMERICAN LIFE, NERVOUS IRRITABILITY AS THE RESULT OF MODERN LIVING, AND THE EASY AVAILABILITY OF FIREARMS. ALSO INCLUDED IS A DISCUSSION OF THEORIES WHICH EXPLORE THE PERSONALITIES OF MURDERERS. --IN GERMAN