Does Violence Beget Violent Crime? Is it Potato or Potata? Tomato or Tomata? Or, Should We Call the Whole Thing Off?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2005

Abstract

Much of the research on the 'abuse breeds violent crime' hypothesis has only examined the existence of abuse rather than the quality of abuse. Data was collected utilizing a retrospective design from a sampling of incarcerated offenders (>N = 719). Each subject was asked a series of questions utilizing the Conflict Tactics Scales. Comparison of chi-square (χ2) values from logistic regression analyses of different measurement models indicated that the more complex measures are stronger in predicting one's likelihood of an arrest for a violent crime. Future analyses can benefit from measuring the quality of abuse rather than its mere existence.

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