The Role of Violent Thinking in Violent Behavior: It’s More About Thinking Than Drinking

Abstract

This article aims to explore and report on violent thinking and alcohol misuse; how these factors may predict self-reported violence. The role of violent thinking in violent behavior is both well established in theoretical models, yet there are few measures that explain this role. One measure that has been identified is the Maudsley Violence Questionnaire (MVQ). This is the first study to explore the use of the MVQ with a general (nonoffender) adult sample, having already been shown to be valid with young people (under 18 years old), adult male offenders, and mentally disordered offenders. This study involved 808 adult participants—569 female and 239 male participants. As figures demonstrate that around half of all violent crime in the United Kingdom is alcohol related, we also explored the role of alcohol misuse. Regression was used to explore how these factors predicted violence. The results demonstrate the important role of violent thinking in violent behavior. The MVQ factor of “Machismo” was the primary factor in regression models for both male and female self-reported violence. The role of alcohol in the regression models differed slightly between the male and female participants, with alcohol misuse involved in male violence. The study supports theoretical models including the role of violent thinking and encourages those hoping to address violence, to consider “Machismo” as a treatment target. The study also provides further validation of the MVQ as a helpful tool for clinicians or researchers who may be interested in “measuring” violent thinking.

The Role of Social Support in Machismo and Acceptance of Violence Among Adolescents in Europe: Lights4Violence Baseline Results

“…In terms of MVQ psychometric properties, the instrument has good internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha being from .72 to .91 between factors and being higher for male participants and the machismo factor [4]. The MVQ has been validated for use in general population samples [4,21], samples of people with an offending history [2,22], and with adults [23] and adolescents [4,24]. The use of this scale allowed us to predict how machismo is represented differently by sex.…”

Are psychological measures and actuarial data equally effective in discriminating among the prison population? Analysis by crimes

“…These findings suggest the convenience of studying the prison population by crime, given that the latter have specific characteristics, using models that include the most relevant measures in each case. Future studies should analyze criminal profiles in a greater number of crimes and incorporate new measures, particularly those associated with violence [ 67 , 68 ].…”

Boys Round Here: The Relationship Between Masculine Honor Ideology, Aggressive Behavior, Race, and Regional Affiliation

“…Machismo in Hispanic communities inside and outside of the United States is another likely manifestation of an honor culture (Nuñez et al, 2016; Tamez, 1981). Adherence to traditional gender roles and other machismo-related beliefs is associated with violent behaviors and thoughts, regardless of gender (Bowes et al, 2020). Machismo is also related to involvement in the criminal justice system (Bowes et al, 2020; Walker & Bowes, 2013).…”

“…Adherence to traditional gender roles and other machismo-related beliefs is associated with violent behaviors and thoughts, regardless of gender (Bowes et al, 2020). Machismo is also related to involvement in the criminal justice system (Bowes et al, 2020; Walker & Bowes, 2013).…”