Citation

Kroner DG, Lacey BA, Cashel ML. J. Interpers. Violence 2018; ePub(ePub): 886260518818425.

Affiliation

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0886260518818425

PMID

30556463

Abstract

This study outlines the development of attribution scales to assess the antecedent processes of proactive, reactive, and acquisitive offending. Empirical keying, internal consistency, and item performance were the three test development strategies. Six samples (total N = 1,527) from parole, university, probation, and prison were used. The Proactive scale (10 items) reflected coldness and distance between offender and victims, the Reactive scale (10 items) reflected recklessness and excuses for violent behavior, and the Acquisitive scale (15 items) reflected less negative views of crime and choices. Convergent and discriminant validities were demonstrated by the Proactive scale stronger correlations with planning items, the Reactive scale stronger correlations with affective and person-based items, and the Acquisitive scale stronger correlations with other-based motives. Linking Proactive, Reactive, and Acquisitive scales to an offense provides psychological meaning that can benefit assessment and interventions.

Language: en

Keywords

acquisitive offending; intervention; proactive violence; reactive violence; violence assessment