15.5.1 Dispositional Explanations

• Dispositional explanations of aggression focus on individual characteristics such as personality traits, genes, and hormones
• Match the type of explanation with its focus:

  Dispositional ↔️ Individual characteristics

  Situational ↔️ Environmental factors
• The importation model proposes that individuals import their pre-prison characteristics into the prison environment
• Match the key component of the importation model with its description:

  Pre-prison characteristics ↔️ Attitudes, values, behaviors from outside prison

  Influence on behavior ↔️ Impacts inmate interactions and responses
• Inmates with a history of gang involvement are likely to display aggressive behaviors within prison.
• The importation model suggests that inmates' pre-prison characteristics influence their behavior in prison
• Match the aspect of the importation model with its description:

  Strengths ↔️ Accounts for individual differences

  Weaknesses ↔️ Overlooks prison environment
• The importation model fully considers the impact of the prison environment on inmate behavior.

  False
• Research on gang involvement supports the importation model, but it doesn't fully consider how the prison environment itself can influence behavior
• Studies on gang involvement show that inmates with a history of gang membership often maintain violent behaviors in prison.
• Research on pre-prison substance abuse shows higher rates of prison violence among those with substance abuse backgrounds
• Match the limitation of the importation model with its example:

  Prison Environment Neglected ↔️ Many inmates' behaviors are influenced by prison conditions

  Lack of Control Groups ↔️ Research may not compare similar inmates
• What does the importation model suggest influences prison behavior?

  Pre-prison characteristics
• Studies show that inmates with a history of gang involvement maintain violent behaviors in prison
• Pre-prison substance abuse is associated with higher rates of prison violence, supporting the importation model.
• What is one weakness of research supporting the importation model?

  Lack of control groups
• The study by Irwin and Cressey (1962) found that gang involvement was a significant predictor of prison violence
• Sykes (1958) argued that prison conditions, not pre-prison traits, primarily influence inmate behavior.
• What are dispositional explanations of aggression primarily concerned with?

  Individual characteristics
• Key factors in dispositional explanations include personality traits, genes, and hormones
• High testosterone levels are associated with more aggressive behavior in dispositional explanations.
• What does the importation model propose about inmate behavior in prison?

  It is influenced by pre-prison traits
• Inmates with a history of gang involvement may continue to display aggressive behaviors within the prison system
• The importation model emphasizes individual factors over situational factors in explaining prison behavior.
• What is one strength of the importation model in explaining prison behavior?

  Accounts for individual differences
• One weakness of the importation model is that it overlooks the impact of the prison environment
• Research on gang involvement supports the importation model by showing continuity in violent behavior.
• What is one weakness of the importation model related to the prison environment?

  Many behaviors influenced by prison
• The study by Irwin and Cressey (1962) found that gang involvement was a significant predictor of prison violence
• What is the primary focus of situational explanations in institutional aggression?

  Environmental factors
• Harsh prison conditions are an example of a situational factor that can trigger aggression.