Institutional Aggression
Introduction
Definition: Violent behaviour that exists within, and may be a defining
feature of, certain institutions & groups.
E.g. Prisons have high level of aggression.
Explanations based on the people or place.
AO1 - Importation Model: Irwin and Cressey
Inmates enter prison with particular characteristics learnt before prison
More likely to engage in interpersonal violence
Younger inmates struggle to adjust – more likely to have confrontations
& view violence as appropriate response
US research shows black inmates more likely to be associated with
interpersonal violence – import cultural norms that condone violence
Supported by Dispositional Model
AO2 - Importation Model
General Myers: Abu Ghraib – called violent soldiers a ‘few bad apples’ - had
disposition making them violent.
Barak: Suicide bombers commit acts because of dispositional influences.
Have characteristics: shame, low self-esteem & suppressed anger.
Adams: Looked at differences in offending inside prison between black and
white inmates. (black = more aggressive). Reflect differences that are imported
from outside.
Keller & Wang: More interpersonal aggression takes place in maximum
security wings/prisons. More violent criminals likely to be imprisoned there.
X However could be because maximum security prisons have higher levels of
deprivation.
Poole & Regoli: Studied 4 prisons. Found best predictor of inmate
aggression is pre-existing aggression.
Introduction
Definition: Violent behaviour that exists within, and may be a defining
feature of, certain institutions & groups.
E.g. Prisons have high level of aggression.
Explanations based on the people or place.
AO1 - Importation Model: Irwin and Cressey
Inmates enter prison with particular characteristics learnt before prison
More likely to engage in interpersonal violence
Younger inmates struggle to adjust – more likely to have confrontations
& view violence as appropriate response
US research shows black inmates more likely to be associated with
interpersonal violence – import cultural norms that condone violence
Supported by Dispositional Model
AO2 - Importation Model
General Myers: Abu Ghraib – called violent soldiers a ‘few bad apples’ - had
disposition making them violent.
Barak: Suicide bombers commit acts because of dispositional influences.
Have characteristics: shame, low self-esteem & suppressed anger.
Adams: Looked at differences in offending inside prison between black and
white inmates. (black = more aggressive). Reflect differences that are imported
from outside.
Keller & Wang: More interpersonal aggression takes place in maximum
security wings/prisons. More violent criminals likely to be imprisoned there.
X However could be because maximum security prisons have higher levels of
deprivation.
Poole & Regoli: Studied 4 prisons. Found best predictor of inmate
aggression is pre-existing aggression.
