Unraveling the Transmission of Violent Offending Behavior: Insights from a Belgian Co-offending Network Study

• In Event: Social Networks I

Abstract

This study builds upon existing research highlighting the influence of deviant social circles on individual behavior, aiming to deepen our understanding of the underlying mechanisms contributing to homophily in violent behavior within co-offending networks. Specifically, our focus is on the transmission of violent offending behavior over time in a Belgian co-offending network. We examine the impact of co-offending with a violent offender on an offender’s future criminal behavior.
Unlike previous studies mainly emphasizing the reinforcement of violent behavior through interactions, our approach considers the possibility that individuals may distance themselves from violence after engaging in co-offending activities with violent offenders. This nuanced perspective acknowledges the complexity of co-offending interactions and allows for a more comprehensive understanding of potential outcomes. In addition, the nature of the co-offence (i.e. violent or not violent) is taken into account to distinguish between ‘learning by association’ and ‘learning by doing’ in case of transmission of violent behavior. The effect of these co-offending interactions is examined through logistic regression models, in order to assess the extent to which they predict the likelihood of engaging in violent behavior, over and above the likelihood of general offending. The results of these analyses will be demonstrated during the presentation.

Authors

• Joke Geeraert, Ghent University

• Arjan Blokland, NSCR

• Luis Enrique Correa da Rocha, Ghent University

• Christophe Vandeviver, Ghent University