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Aggression Types and Criminal Behavior

© Michael Decaire

Psychology traditionally has defined aggression as behavior against another that intentionally inflicts harm (geer, 1990). This definition, though sufficient for many applications of the word, is not specific enough for the comprehensive understanding of aggressive behavior. A number of different processes may underlie any particular aggressive act. Understanding why a particular individual is behaving in a certain way is essential for an appropriate intervention to be created.

Moyer (1976) identified eight distinct kinds of aggression that can be found in virtually all species, including human behavior. The existence of these types of aggression points towards an evolutionary perspective of aggressive behavior. Moyer's typologies, and their particular applications towards Forensic Psychology, are provided below:

(1) Predatory Aggression: our motivated attack behaviors. This aggression is directed to natural prey and is deeply routed in our ancestors hunting behavior. Today it can be seen in the behavior of normal individuals as hunting. Forensic Implications: A variety of deviant and abnormal subjects may see other humans as lesser beings. The deviant, which may include narcissists, could see others as non-equals and may not have any moral issues with stealing or hurting such individuals. The psychopath cannot see through the eyes of others and may also not consider them as equals. Such an individual may not have moral qualms with seriously injuring or even killing others.

(2) Intermale Aggression: physical violence or submissive behavior displayed by males towards each other. Forensic implications: these intermale drives could be an explanatory framework for the high rates of intermale violence. Possible causes for such violence could be perceived competition for resources and ego threats that one male feels is being created by a second male.

(3) Fear-Induced Aggression: responses believed to be biologically programmed into us so that we act in an aggressive manner towards any form of forced confinement. Forensic implications: such aggression could be a major issue to prison environments. If already aggressive individuals are placed into an environment that fosters aggression via confinement, violence risk may be increased.

(4) Territorial Aggression: threat or attack behavior displayed towards an invasion of one's territory or the submissive-retreat behavior displayed when confronted while intruding. Forensic implications: invasion of one's territory can include much more then property. A belief that someone is encroaching on one's status could also be considered an invasion. The loss of power in relationships that can lead to spouse abuse could possibly be explained by this aggression model.

(5) Maternal Aggression: aggressive behavior put forward by females (and most likely males as well) when an intruder is in the presence of one's children. Forensic implications: none other then crimes explained by the situation that the definition gives.