Institutional Aggression Flashcards
What are the three models for institutional aggression.
Deprivation model, importation model, and the Lucifer Effect.
What is the deprivation model (2 points)?
- A model which suggests institutional aggression stems from a loss of freedom which causes deep psychological trauma.
- Aggression comes about as a psychological self-preservation mechanism, facilitating a deviant prison subculture.
What are the five pains of imprisonment.
Deprivation of:
- Liberty.
- Goods and services.
- Heterosexual relationships.
- Autonomy.
- Security.
What are the two studies in support of the deprivation model?
Jiang & Fisher-Giorlando (2002) and Grapendaal (1990).
Outline Jiang & Fisher-Giorlando’s study and findings from 2002.
Using interviews and observations, they found the deprivation model was a better indicator of violent incidents and attacks on staff than the importation model.
Outline Grapendaal’s study and findings from 1990.
Using standardised questionnaires, prison data, observation and other methods, he found that the deprivation model was in general a far better predictor for opposition than the importation model.
Identify and outline a positive IDA point for the deprivation model.
Practical application: prison governors can make prison environments safer through the reduction of deprivation.
What is the importation model (2 points)?
- A model which explains prison aggression through what prisoners bring into the institutions.
- Aggression is primarily a result of offenders’ attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours that form outside the prison walls.
According to the importation model, why is the prison subculture likely to be aggressive?
The people inside the prison are likely to have imported aggressive tendencies, hence their conviction.
What study supports the importation model?
DeLisi (2004).
Outline DeLisi’s study and findings from 2004.
Considered prisoner characteristics and then their behaviour within the institutions. Found that some of the strongest predictors of prison violence were the criminal career variables, particularly violence history, confinement history, and escape history.
Identify and outline a positive IDA point for the importation model.
Prison governors can identify those who are at risk and isolate them from other people who are risks.
What is Zimbardo’s lucifer effect?
Aggression is shown by those in a position of authority (guards) towards their subordinates (prisoners) in extremely stressful circumstances due to the unique nature of the situation not allowing for the adoption of previous behavioural schema.
What three phenomena facilitate the aggression of guards?
- Deindividuation of self.
- Dehumanisation of others.
- Uncritical conformity to group norms.
What can’t Zimbardo’s Lucifer Effect explain?
Aggression by prisoners towards guards.
What study supports the Lucifer Effect?
Zimbardo’s prison study (1973).
Outline Zimbardo’s study and findings from 1973.
Placed university students in a fake prison. He found the guards quickly acted upon their position of power to dehumanise, degrade and bully the prisoners.
What is a methodological problem with Zimbardo’s prison study (1973)?
The study lacks experimental realism and therefore there is low ecological validity.
Give a negative IDA point for Zimbardo’s Lucifer Effect.
Determinism. The theory suggests those under extreme pressure are likely to act aggressively. This could be used by individuals to get off lightly for infringement of human rights (this was done by Zimbardo).
