Institutional Aggression

Question 1

What are the three models for institutional aggression.

Answer 1

Deprivation model, importation model, and the Lucifer Effect.

Question 2

What is the deprivation model (2 points)?

Answer 2

1. A model which suggests institutional aggression stems from a loss of freedom which causes deep psychological trauma.
2. Aggression comes about as a psychological self-preservation mechanism, facilitating a deviant prison subculture.

Question 3

What are the five pains of imprisonment.

Answer 3

Deprivation of:

1. Liberty.
2. Goods and services.
3. Heterosexual relationships.
4. Autonomy.
5. Security.

Question 4

What are the two studies in support of the deprivation model?

Answer 4

Jiang & Fisher-Giorlando (2002) and Grapendaal (1990).

Question 5

Outline Jiang & Fisher-Giorlando’s study and findings from 2002.

Answer 5

Using interviews and observations, they found the deprivation model was a better indicator of violent incidents and attacks on staff than the importation model.

Question 6

Outline Grapendaal’s study and findings from 1990.

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Identify and outline a positive IDA point for the deprivation model.

Answer 7

Practical application: prison governors can make prison environments safer through the reduction of deprivation.

Question 8

What is the importation model (2 points)?

Answer 8

1. A model which explains prison aggression through what prisoners bring into the institutions.
2. Aggression is primarily a result of offenders’ attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviours that form outside the prison walls.

Question 9

According to the importation model, why is the prison subculture likely to be aggressive?

Answer 9

The people inside the prison are likely to have imported aggressive tendencies, hence their conviction.

Question 10

What study supports the importation model?

Answer 10

DeLisi (2004).

Question 11

Outline DeLisi’s study and findings from 2004.

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Identify and outline a positive IDA point for the importation model.

Answer 12

Prison governors can identify those who are at risk and isolate them from other people who are risks.

Question 13

What is Zimbardo’s lucifer effect?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

What three phenomena facilitate the aggression of guards?

Answer 14

1. Deindividuation of self.
2. Dehumanisation of others.
3. Uncritical conformity to group norms.

Question 15

What can’t Zimbardo’s Lucifer Effect explain?

Answer 15

Aggression by prisoners towards guards.

Question 16

What study supports the Lucifer Effect?

Answer 16

Zimbardo’s prison study (1973).

Question 17

Outline Zimbardo’s study and findings from 1973.

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

What is a methodological problem with Zimbardo’s prison study (1973)?

Answer 18

The study lacks experimental realism and therefore there is low ecological validity.

Question 19

Give a negative IDA point for Zimbardo’s Lucifer Effect.

Answer 19

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).