Institutional aggression is any violent behaviour that exists within certain institutions. The aggression may be a defining feature of the group, for example the army or the police. Or it may just be a readily acceptable ‘normal’ behaviour e.g. the events that took place in Abu Grahib Prison in Iraq. There are two main explanations of institutional aggression; dispositional factors and situational factors.
Dispositional factors can be explained using the importation model, this was first developed by Irwin and Cressey. The importation model states that institutional aggression is caused by individual’s aggressive personalities, these personalities have been shaped by past experiences and cultural factors. They therefore import their aggressive behaviour into the institution. For example, if an inmate has previously lived in a subculture where aggression is valued, respected and reinforced, they are more likely to import such behaviour into prison.
The importation model is supported by research carried out by Doherty, who reviewed aggressive incidents that took place in Canadian prisons which resulted in death. It was found that offenders shared common features, in that they were likely to have a history of violent aggression. This suggests that aggression is due to pro-aggressive personalities, not the institution itself. The model takes into account individual differences as it explains why some people are aggressive in institutions and others aren’t, making it valid. Although it allows us to identify individuals who may be more aggressive, it doesn’t suggest how they should be treated. Therefore the theory is incomplete and can only be used to explain the aggression; not how it can be prevented.
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