The study found that persistent violence, as measured by assaults, were predicted partly by impulsiveness. Further, extreme attentiveness to perceived signs of a "hostile world," as measured by strong reactions to various triggers in social interactions, particularly hostile words, was related to persistent violence. These findings support the Crick and Dodge (1994) model that attributes violence to a chain of events that are fueled by hostile attributions and perceptions. The findings suggest that treatment programs for violent behavior should not only condemn violence as an accepted expression of anger but should also focus on the development of appropriate nonviolent strategies for responding to perceived hostile comments and verbal threats from others. The selection of the 40 offenders excluded those with a current or any previous charges or convictions of violence against a child when the offender was 18 years or older or violence against a female (regardless of the offender's age when it occurred). Offenders with current or previous charges or convictions for a sexual offenses were also excluded. Impulsivity was measured with the 19 items of the impulsiveness scale reported by Eysenck, Pearson, Easting, and Allsopp (1985). Vignettes measured schemas for a hostile world with four brief social vignettes. Each vignette required the offender to place himself in a provocative social situation in which the intent of the other actor was ambiguous. The criminal records of the Canadian Police Information Center and Correctional Service of Canada's electronic offender management System were reviewed for violence in an offender's history. Assault was the measure of persistent violence. 2 tables and 29 references