The research was based on cultural theories that examine reasons for disproportionate amounts of violence among various groups. The data came from personal interviews conducted in Albany County (N.Y.) in 1980 as part of a study of situational factors in violence. The participants included 245 persons selected as a representative sample of the general population and 141 ex-offenders who had been living in the community for at least 6 months. The data were analyzed by means of structural equation modeling techniques. Results indicated that age, gender, and socioeconomic status were related to attitudes toward retribution and courage and to disputatiousness. In addition, attitudes toward courage and retribution had significant effects on disputatiousness and violence. Findings were consistent with the attitude mediation hypothesis. Thus, findings suggested that lower-class persons are more likely to engage in violence largely because they are more punitive and place greater emphasis on displaying courage in conflicts. Figure, tables, footnotes, and 66 references (Author abstract modified)