Disputatiousness and the Offender–Victim Overlap. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Felson, Richard B.; Berg, Mark T.; Rogers, Ethan M.; Krajewski, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Journal of research in crime and delinquency. Volume 55:Number 3(2018:May)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 389
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: violence -- victim–offender overlap -- street code -- victimization -- social interactionist theory; Crime -- Research -- Periodicals; 364
• DOI: 10.1177/0022427817744594
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4278

Abstract

Objectives: We examine whether offenders are at greater risk of violent victimization than non-offenders because of their disputatiousness; that is, their tendency to become involved in verbal conflicts. We also examine whether offenders are more disputatious because of their low self-control, alcohol use, and honor-based attitudes and whether disputatiousness can explain the effects of these individual differences on violent victimization. Method: A series of regression models examine self-reported data from 503 male inmates and 220 men ( N = 723) they know from the community who have never been arrested. Results: Disputatiousness accounts for a substantial portion of the relationship between victimization and offending (i.e., inmate status). Disputatiousness also mediates the relationships between victimization and frequent intoxication, low self-control, and honor-based attitudes. Low self-control and heavy alcohol use account for a substantial portion of the relationship between offending and disputatiousness. Disputatiousness and victimization are associated with a history of assaultive offenses but not a history of robbery. Conclusions: The tendency to become involved in verbal conflicts can partly explain high victimization rates among male offenders, and among men who lack self-control, are frequently intoxicated, and have strong concerns about protecting their honor.