Social Psychological Analysis of Violent Behavior (From Violent Behavior, P 31-67, 1981, Richard B Stuart, ed. - See NCJ-84573)

• NCJ Number: 84574
• Author(s): C W Turner; M R Fenn; A M Cole
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 37 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Utah; National Institute of Mental Health; American Planning Assoc
• Corporate Author: Stanford University; University of Utah
• Sale Source: Brunner/Mazel, Inc.
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Social learning processes determine which members of a society develop, through direct or vicarious experiences, aggression as the habitual mode of coping with aversive life events.

Abstract

The aversive life experiences of young adults increase the likelihood of aggression. Dramatic increases in violent crime over the past 20 years are explained by the increased number of young adults (resulting from the post-World War II baby boom) exposed to negative life events (especially economic dissatisfaction), resulting primarily from more persons competing for limited social and economic resources. After 1957, the growing levels of relative economic deprivation contributed to a decline in the birth rate through 1975. Consequently, there should be fewer young adults entering the labor force between now and 1990. Because of reduced competition for economic resources, the later birth cohorts should experience more favorable economic conditions, which should in turn reduce aversive experiences. This should produce a massive decrease (perhaps 40 percent) in violent crime by 1985-90. As the postwar baby-boom cohort grows older, they will experience periods of high risk for a number of social problems such as alcoholism, serious mental health problems, and suicide. Tabular and graphic data and 62 references are provided. (Author summary modified)