NCJ Number
10786
Date Published
1972
Length
379 pages
Annotation
RESEARCH INTO THE ATTITUDES HELD BY AMERICAN MEN ON THE USE OF VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY THAT VIOLENCE EMPLOYED ON BEHALF OF SOCIAL CHANGE OR SOCIAL CONTROL.
Abstract
RESEARCH WAS CONDUCTED TO GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DETERMINANTS OF VIOLENCE AND TO TRANSLATE THAT UNDERSTANDING INTO MEANS OF MEASURING THE EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE AND METHODS OF CURTAILING IT. A SAMPLE OF MEN, AGED 16 THROUGH 64, WAS SURVEYED IN THE SUMMER OF 1969. INCORPORATED INTO THE INTERVIEW WERE QUESTIONS ON SEVERAL KEY POINTS - BASIC CULTURAL VALUES IN FAVOR OF, AND AGAINST, VIOLENCE, IDENTIFICATION WITH A PERSON OR GROUP ACTING AS AGGRESSOR, IDENTIFICATION WITH VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION, AND DEFINITION OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR. THE STUDY INDICATES THAT VIOLENCE IS WIDELY REGARDED AS INSTRUMENTAL IN BOTH MAINTAINING SOCIAL CONTROL AND PRODUCING SOCIAL CHANGE. AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE MEN SURVEYED AGREED THAT SOCIAL CHANGES CONCERNING POVERTY, UNEQUAL OPPORTUNITY, AND DISCRIMINATION WERE DESIRABLE, YET ONLY A SMALL MINORITY FELT THE NECESSITY FOR THE USE OF VIOLENCE. BELIEFS IN RETRIBUTION AND SELF-DEFENSE AND DEGREE OF EXPOSURE TO EITHER AGGRESSORS OR VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION WERE FOUND TO BE KEY VALUES WHICH DETERMINE ATTITUDES TOWARD VIOLENCE. WHILE THE REPORT CONCENTRATES PRIMARILY ON APPARENT CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES, SOME BROAD SUGGESTIONS FOR CONTROLLING VIOLENCE ARE MADE. SPECIFIC METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE STUDY ARE FULLY COVERED IN THE APPENDICES. (SNI ABSTRACT)