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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study by Kellert and Felthous was to investigate the relationship between cruelty toward animals in childhood and aggressive behavior among criminals and noncriminals in adulthood.
METHODOLOGY:
A quasi-experimental, cross-sectional study was employed. The sample consisted of three groups of individuals: aggressive criminals, nonaggressive criminals, and noncriminals. Criminal populations were taken from the Federal penitentiaries in Leavenworth, Kansas, and Danbury, Connecticut. Prison counselors were asked to rate inmates on a scale of 1-10 based on their observations of the inmates. This was done to assure that there were an adequate number of both aggressive and nonaggressive inmates. Noncriminals were selected at random from urban, suburban, and small town areas close to New Haven, Connecticut, and Topeka, Kansas. The total sample included 152 adult males. Sixty-three were inmates from Leavenworth, while eighty-nine were inmates from Danbury. Fifteen were noncriminals from Kansas and thirty-six were noncriminals from Connecticut.
The researchers conducted face-to-face interviews, approximately one to two hours in length. Standardized interview schedules consisting of over 440 closed and open-ended questions were used. The questions covered the subjects' demographic characteristics, childhood family relationships, childhood behavior patterns, relationships to animals in childhood, adult behavior patterns, and a closed-ended survey on attitudes toward animals and aggression.
The authors hypothesized that aggressive criminals should have the most significant links with childhood cruelty toward animals. Analysis included the use of means and percentages, as well as analysis of variance and Duncan's Multiple Range test.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
In general, the 152 subjects reported 373 acts involving some degree of cruelty toward animals. 60% reported at least one or more act of cruelty as a child, 41% reported one to two, 11.2% reported three to four, and almost 8% reported at least five or more.
Moreover, the findings indicated that differences between aggressive criminals, nonaggressive criminals, and noncriminals were highly significant. 25% of aggressive criminals reported five or more acts of cruelties toward animals as a child, compared to less than 6% for nonaggressive criminals, and no occurrence among noncriminals.
The author also developed a preliminary classification of motivations for cruel and aggressive behavior toward animals based on careful review of each case. The following classifications of motivations were reported: to control an animal, to retaliate against an animal, to satisfy a prejudice against a species or breed, to express aggression through an animal, to enhance one's own aggressiveness, to shock people for amusement, to retaliate against another person, displacement of hostility from a person to an animal, and nonspecific sadism.
Finally, the authors also reported significant preliminary results in regards to the role of childhood family experiences. Aggressive criminals scored significantly higher on childhood aggressiveness toward people than the other groups. Furthermore, 75% of all aggressive criminal subjects admitted excessive and repeated child abuse compared to 31% of nonaggressive criminals and only 10% of noncriminals. 73% of violent criminals reported alcoholism and/or drug abuse by their parents or guardians, while less than 20% among nonaggressive criminals and 10% of noncriminals reported this (p<.0001). The authors also reported a strong association of substance abuse and family violence. One-half of aggressive criminal subjects reported both alcoholism and substantial family violence, compared to 12% of nonaggressive criminals and 7% of noncriminals.
The authors concluded by stating that aggression among adult criminals appears to be strongly related to a history of family abuse and childhood cruelty toward animals. (CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
KW - Child Aggression
KW - Comparative Analysis
KW - Offender Characteristics
KW - Child Offender
KW - Child Violence
KW - Adult Offender
KW - Offender Nonoffender Comparison
KW - Adult Inmate
KW - Adult Male
KW - Adult Violence
KW - Life Course
KW - Incarcerated
KW - Adult Aggression
KW - Aggression Causes
KW - Domestic Violence Effects
KW - Domestic Violence Victim
KW - Child Abuse Effects
KW - Child Abuse Victim
KW - Child Male
KW - Child Victim
KW - Male Aggression
KW - Male Offender
KW - Male Inmate
KW - Male Victim
KW - Male Violence
KW - Childhood Victimization
KW - Animal Abuse-Violence Link
KW - Parent Substance Use
KW - Violence Causes
Language: en |