institutional aggression Flashcards
1
Q
what is institutional aggression?
A
- prisons are an example of a human organisation where there are high levels of aggression
- behaviours are observed here
2
Q
what is a dispositional factor for aggression?
A
- high levels of aggression in prisons Is due to the personal characteristics of the prisoners
- not the environment of the prison
3
Q
what is a situational factor for aggression?
A
- high levels of aggression in prisons Is due to the environment of the prison
- not the personal characteristics of the prisoners in the prison
4
Q
dispositional factors
A
- aggression= internal characteristics of prisoner
- importation model
- withdrawal from alcohol/drugs
- biological= high testosterone of young males
5
Q
importation model
A
- aggression is imported from the outside world into the prison due to the prisoners and their personality
- can result in instrumental violence= premeditated aggression used to gain status/settle gang feuds
6
Q
situational factors
A
- prison isn’t pleasant so people don’t want to return
- the prison is criminogenic= prison the cause of aggressive behaviour
- physical factors= poor layout, excessive noise, CCTV blindspots mean fear of attack
- inexperienced prison staff less able to diffuse aggressive situations
- racial and gender mismatch can create tension
6
Q
The deprivation model
A
- depriving prisoners of their freedom and safety
- heterosexual relationships and autonomy lead to stress
- deprivation and physical situation creates fear
- expressed violence= aggression is unplanned reactionary response to conditions
7
Q
research evaluations: Bierie (2011), poor conditions= more violence
A
- questionnaire on conditions from 117 prisons in US
- matched with prison records of violence
- poor conditions= violence was significantly higher
- poorer hygiene, lack of privacy, more white staff, less female staff
- supports situational argument
8
Q
General evaluations of institutional aggression
A
- research could have real implications on the lives of prisoners so the research is socially sensitive
+ aggression= poor conditions could lead to funding for prison facilities - finding aggression in prisons due to dispositional factors= politicians may want to cut funding
8
Q
research evaluation: DeLisi (2011) review of young offenders and their criminal history
A
- reviewed earlier personal background and criminal history of over 2500 young male offenders
- those living in care, poverty or history of violence towards family members = associated w violent assault of staff/ other inmates
- early home experiences= dispositional factors
- this is the life course importation model
9
Q
evaluation: interventionist approach, more valid explanation
A
- there are prisoners that because of dispositional factors are more prone to aggression
- when put into aggressive situations are more likely to be aggressive
- e.g. feeling threatened
9
Q
evaluation institutional factors: research support zimbardos SPE
A
- pp were screened to see emotional stability
- found unlikely to have dispositional factors, thought to lead to aggression
- aggression still occured between prisoners and guards
- due to situational power created by zimbardo
