institutional aggression

• explanations:

  • situational = deprivation model
  • dispositional = importation model
• importation model:

  • irwin + cressey - bring violent pasts with them, beliefs values + characteristics e.g gender, race
  • import behaviours to negotiate way through unfamiliar environment, use aggression to establish power + influence
  • predisposed behaviour, would do the same in every setting
• importation model research (delisi):

  • 813 juvenile offenders in california institutions - had several negative dispositional features e.g substance abuse + trauma
  • more likely to engage in suicidal activity + sexual misconduct reported by parole board than control group
• deprivation model:

  • clemmer - aggression product of stressful + oppressive conditions
  • deprived of freedom, safety, hetero intimacy - deprivation of material goods important, more competition
  • aggression influenced by nature of prison regime e.g lock ups create frustration
• deprivation model research (steiner):

  • environmental factors predicted aggression in 512 US prisons
  • inmate on inmate violence more common in prisoners with more female staff, overcrowding + more inmates in protective custody
• EVALUATION: research support dispositional

  • camp + gaes - 561 male inmates with similar histories - 1/2 in low security, 1/2 in 2nd highest security
  • 33% low security + 36% higher security displayed aggressive misconduct in 2 years - not big difference
  • prison environment less important predictor of aggression
• EVALUATION: research support situational

  • cunningham - 35 inmate homicides in texas, behaviours linked to some deprivations proposed by clemmer
  • arguments over drugs, sexual activity + possessions important
  • strengthens model - factors make aggression more likely
• EVALUATION: interactionist approach

  • jiang + fisher - importation explains violence between inmates + deprivation between inmates + staff
  • deprivation may not lead to violence unless combined with imported characteristics
  • interactionist may be more appropriate for complete model