AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR AND VIOLENCE OF YOUTH - APPROACHES AND ALTERNATIVES

• NCJ Number: 26231
• Journal: Federal Probation Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 24-28
• Author(s): M K HO
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE; THE EMOTIONAL HAZARDS OF CORRECTIONAL WORKERS DEALING WITH AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT YOUTHS; AND VARIOUS TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS THAT CAN BE USED.

Abstract

AGGRESSION IS DEFINED AS AN INTRUSIVE, ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR CONCERNED WITH DOMINANCE AND ADVANCEMENT. VIOLENCE IS DEFINED AS THE NEEDLESS INFLICTION OF HARM, PAIN, DESTRUCTION OR DISRUPTION, WHILE AGGRESSION IS NOT 'BAD' AND CAN BE A HEALTHY DRIVE. VIOLENCE, BY DEFINITION, IS 'BAD' BEHAVIOR. THE AUTHOR CAUTIONS AGAINST SUCH EMOTIONAL HAZARDS AS THE CORRECTIONAL WORKERS USE OF REJECTION AND DENIAL, FEAR OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR, OR USE OF THE YOUTH'S VIOLENCE AS A VICARIOUS EXPERIENCE. TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS INVOLVING THE CATHARSIS PRINCIPLE, PLAYING OUT TO TALKING OUT, DOUBLING, INTEGRATION, DRAWING, AND SETTING OF LIMITS IN WORKING WITH VIOLENT AND AGGRESSIVE YOUTHS ARE ALSO ILLUSTRATED AND DISCUSSED. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CORRECTIONAL WORKER AND THE YOUTH IS STRESSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)