Aggression : Institutional Aggression Flashcards
What is the dispositional explanation for aggression and who was it devised by?
The Importation Model
it was devised by Irwin and Cressey 1962
Make 4 points about the importation model
-aggression results from the individual characteristics and social histories of the prisoner
-inmates willingness to use violence to settle disputes in prison reflects their lives before prison
-aggression is more likely if prisoners previously lived in cultures where aggression was valued/reinforced
-inmates predisposed to using violence are likely to do so in any setting
According to the importation model of aggression , aggression is more likely when there is a history of …
6
-alcohol/drug addiction
-poor employment record
-low level of education
-criminal history prior to imprisonment
-gang membership
-race and age
What does the situational explanation of aggression state institutional aggression arises from?
the prison environment
What are the 2 models within the situational explanation for institutional aggression?
Deprivation Model
Management Model
Make 3 points about the deprivation model
-deprivation can lead to increased stress of prisoners
-aggressive behaviour can then decrease this stress and obtain desired resources
-aggression becomes a way prisoners can get control over their conditions
Make 2 points about the management model
-poor leadership and lack of discipline amongst staff leads to aggression
-prisoners are less aggressive when there is effective management and the prisoners believe in the offenders programmes on offer
Who provides supporting evidence for the dispositional explanation of institutional aggression?
Delisi et al 2001-studied 800 juvenile delinquents in institutions in California , most inmates had experiences of childhood trauma/history of substance abuse/history of violent behaviour
they found these inmates were more likely to engage in sexual misconduct and committed more acts of violence compared to a control group
this suggests the dispositional explanation is a credible explanation
Who provides supporting evidence for the situational explanation of institutional aggression?
Cunningham et al 2010-analysed 35 inmate homicides in Texas prisons and found motivations of the prisoners included arguments over access to drugs , homosexual relationships and personal possessions
this suggests aggression is influenced by deprivation , suggesting the situational explanation may be more credible
Give one general weakness of each explanation
both pieces of supporting evidence can be used to contradict the other explanation
Give a general strength of both explanations
+practical apps , understanding the causes of prison aggression can provide methods and approaches to decrease the occurence of aggression , eg investing gov funds to provide high quality staff training to help reduce effects of deprivation/poor prison environment
this shows the explanations have high external validity
Give one other general weaknesses of both explanations
-they are both deterministic as they don’t emphasise the role of free will or control of the prisoners behaviour
this could imply that individuals are not responsible for their aggressive behaviour
Write a brief concluding statement for the evaluation of the explanations for institutional aggression
-an interaction between the 2 explanations may be most effective , as an individual may be predisposed to prison aggression due to their past experiences , but this wont determine aggression unless there is a trigger from the prison environment
