NCJ Number
105877
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychology Volume: 41 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1985) Pages: 714-722
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Personality variables involved in alcohol-related violence were studied by comparing Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scores for 259 men in 4 groups: men who committed a murder while intoxicated or while sober, men admitted to a psychiatric unit for a nonalcohol- and nonviolence-related problem, and men admitted to a detoxification unit with no evidence of prior violence.
Abstract
The violent groups were more paranoid and less manic than the nonviolent groups. Men who killed while sober tended to be less interpersonally sensitive and more psychopathic than those who killed while intoxicated. Those who committed murder while intoxicated tended to be less psychologically minded than those who were intoxicated but nonviolent. These results suggest that alcohol does not simply exaggerate already present violent tendencies as held by disinhibition theory. Rather, individuals who are normally passive and interpersonally sensitive can become violent when intoxicated. 3 figures and 20 references. (Author abstract modified)