Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Violence

Abstract

This study examines the social origins of extremely violent behavior. Numerous explanations of violent offenders have focused on biological, psychological, environmental or a combination of these factors to explain violence. Most explanations of violent behavior fail to take a holistic approach to understand the cause of violent behavior. This study is an analysis of the applicability of the violentization theory. Data was obtained through in-depth semi-structured interviews from six violent offenders in a residential treatment faciIity in the Midwest. Findings indicate that for most offenders, the violentization theory is consistent with their social experiences. However, two exceptions pertained to the violentization process where the individuals stopped their journey along this socialization of violence. Further analysis revealed that the violentization process often starts within the home due to the violent subjugation by family members. The further along some are in the violentization process, the more consistent and violent their crimes are. This study finds that the violentization theory can be used to develop public policy programs aimed at stopping individuals from progressing through these stages.

Year of Submission

2011

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

First Advisor

Joe Gorton, Chair

Comments

If you are the rightful copyright holder of this thesis and wish to have it removed from the Open Access Collection, please submit an email request to scholarworks@uni.edu. Include your name and clearly identify the thesis by full title and author as shown on the work.

Date Original

7-2011

Object Description

1 PDF file (vii, 86 leaves ; 28 cm)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Download

Comments?

Included in

Criminology Commons

Share

COinS