SOCIAL‐DEMOGRAPHIC ATTITUDES AND VIOLENCE*

Abstract

In this study, we examine the relationships among social‐demographic characteristics, attitudes, and violence, drawing on cultural theories. Structural equation modeling techniques are employed to examine data from a representative sample of the general population and a sample of ex‐offenders. The findings indicate that age, gender, and SES are related to attitudes toward retribution and courage and to disputatiousness. Further, attitudes toward courage and retribution have significant effects on disputatiousness and violence, which explains a substantial portion of SES effects. The results suggest that lower‐class persons are more likely to engage in violence to a large extent because they are more punitive and place greater emphasis on showing courage in conflicts.