Situational Model

Situational Model

1. This model suggests that the environment in an institution causes aggression due to 3 environmental factors: organisational, physical and staff traits.

2. Deprivation Model: deprivation leads to stress and frustration, leading to aggression. Displays of aggression may reduce stress, obtain required resources and gain some control.

   • 5 Deprivations can cause aggression:
     • Deprivation of Liberty - No Freedom. Deprivation of Autonomy - No independence. Deprivation of Goods and services. Deprivation of heterosexual relationship. Deprivation of security.
       • Extra: Over crowded and inadequate living conditions.

3. The Popcorn Model: The first act of aggression may lead to other acts of aggression. Sort out the prison environment itself and reduce the amount of aggression.

4. The Management Model: Result of failed management, igh staff turnover and lack of discipline amongst staff.

   • Mc Clorkle et al 1995: 371 state prisons - strong correlation between poor administrative practices and levels of prison violence.

5. Supporting Study: Richards 2007 - A meta analysis looking at inmate on staff and inmate on inmate assault in 900 prisons between 1984-1995. Found varied aggression levels; these increases and decreases were due to the particular characteristics of prison itself not programmes.

   • Methodological Evaluation: Large sample size. Longitudinal Study. Individual differences. Meta analysis.

6. Supporting Study: Zimbardo 1973: Simulated Prison study - found that guards created a brutal atmosphere even though just a simulation. Prisoners felt helpless, like they no longer had control over their lives.

7. IDA's: Nature vs Nurture. Real Life Application. Gender Bias