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Predicting the Violent Offender: The Discriminant Validity of the Subculture of Violence

NCJ Number
235913
Journal
Criminology Volume: 49 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2011 Pages: 767-794
Author(s)
Jean Marie McGloin; Christopher J. Schreck; Eric A. Stewart; Graham C. Ousey
Date Published
August 2011
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study examined the validity of the subculture of violence.
Abstract
This study tests the extent to which an adherence to the subculture of violence uniquely predicts a tendency to favor violence or instead predicts a more generalized offending repertoire, of which violence is part. Specifically, the authors use a unique analytic technique that provides the opportunity to distinguish empirically between the "violent offender" and/or the "frequent offender." The results suggest that holding values favorable toward violence consistently predicts general offending but do not identify youth who systematically favor violence over nonviolence. This discussion considers the impact of these findings for the continued utility of the subculture of violence perspective. (Published Abstract)