NCJ Number
246293
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: March-April 2013 Pages: 281-285
Date Published
2013
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Researchers are continually looking for the definitive answer to the question of what causes violence; whether it is a product of biology or socialization or, perhaps, a bit of both.
Abstract
Researchers are continually looking for the definitive answer to the question of what causes violence; whether it is a product of biology or socialization or, perhaps, a bit of both. Lonnie Athens, a criminologist, is known primarily for his theory about the unique transforming process gone through by individuals to become dangerous, violent offenders. Athens, himself, said that discourse about the etiologies of violent behavior cannot be broken down into a dichotomous model; either bio-physiological or socialization, but rather should be conceptualized more holistically. This paper analyzes Athens's theory within a greater context of leading theories about violence.