15.5.1 Dispositional Explanations

    Cards (31)

    • 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.