NCJ Number
95481
Journal
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Volume: 52 Issue: 5 Dated: (1984) Pages: 789-794
Date Published
1984
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Explanations by 45 inmates about 226 incidents of their violent behavior were examined for their relationship to certain situational variables; significant associations were consistent with predictions from attribution theory.
Abstract
The individual interview, which examined violent incidents both within and outside the prison, probed for information on the victim, the situation, precipitating events, details of the incident, attitude and emotion, and explanations. Each interview was then coded for locus of attribution -- victim, self, or situation -- and excuses versus justifications. An excuse was viewed as a denial of personal responsibility or causality for the act, whereas justification was considered an attempt to justify the act using reasons or norms. Inmates' explanations of their violence were largely consistent with previous studies. First, offenders' explanations of their violence were more external than internal. Furthermore, explanations were far more likely to be justifications than excuses. This research extended earlier studies by considering the classification schemes together. By highlighting dimensions of causality and responsibility, this study demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. A list of 26 references is included.