Dispositional explanations
- A dispositional explanation of aggression is one which assumes that people are individuals with specific personality traits, likes/dislikes, skills, personal history, attitudes, beliefs etc.
- A common adage is, ‘How someone does anything is how they do everything’: in other words people do not neatly compartmentalise their behaviours to fit each specific situation, rather they influence and act on social contexts according to their disposition
- Offenders who are imprisoned are, after all, individuals who will enter prison with a distinct set of personality traits, just as they would any situation which is explained by the importation model (Irwin & Cressey, 1962) i.e. offenders ‘import’ (bring in) their personality to the prison and engage in behaviours in line with their personality (including their past experiences)
- The importation model assumes that if an individual enters a prison with a history of violent and abusive behaviour then this will be seen in their behaviour inside the prison i.e. they are simply adhering to what is for them a set of personal norms
Offenders do not leave their personality at the door when they enter prison.