NCJ Number
101935
Journal
Hospital and Community Psychiatry Volume: 36 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1985) Pages: 632-640
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This literature review examines trends in the homicide rate, its pattern, and the contributions of individual and societal characteristics.
Abstract
Studies using aggregate national and local data have shown that homicide rates have been increasing since the 1960's. The most likely victims are blacks, the young, and males. As with other human behavior, homicide is determined by a balance of biological and environmental factors. Thus, an individual with a greater biological predisposition toward violence requires less environmental stress to become violent. Factors implicated in this predisposition include low intelligence, diffuse neurophysiological dysfunction, youth, and hormonal anomalies. Environmental factors that may mediate the individual's biological predisposition are diverse. In primary homicides, the offender's relation to the victim is a major determinant, while in crime-related homicides economic inequality is a primary factor. Additional environmental influences include social attitudes toward violence, alcohol and drug abuse, availability of firearms, and relations with family and peers. 80 references. (Author abstract modified)