Disputatiousness and the Victim-Offender Overlap

• In Event: Victimization Across the Life Course

Abstract

A large body of research consistently shows a strong relationship between various measures of offending and victimization. However, much of the process through which this overlap develops remains largely unknown. We address this gap in the literature by examining the role of verbal disputatiousness in the “victim-offender overlap”. Our analyses are based on original data recently collected from a survey of 500 male Pennsylvania inmates and 212 male respondents from a community control group. We examine whether the tendency for offenders to become involved in verbal conflicts can account for their high rates of violent victimization. We also examine why offenders are more disputatious and explore the role of self-regulation, honor-based norms, and alcohol intoxication. The results provide further insights into the processes through which offenders experience relatively high rates of victimization.

Authors

• Ethan M. Rogers, University of Iowa

• Richard Felson, Pennsylvania State University

• Mark Berg, University of Iowa

• Andrew Krajewski, Pennsylvania State University