RJA #14: Annotated Bibliography, Part 2

RJA #14: Annotated Bibliography, Part 2

1) Calvert, Sandra L., and Siu-Lan Tan. "Impact of Virtual Reality on Young Adults' Psychological Arousal and Aggressive Thoughts: Interaction Versus Observation." Interacting with Video. Norwood: Ablex Corporation, 1999. 67-82. Print.

~This book focuses on technological impact on violent behavior (TV, video games, internet, etc), and how it may help or hinder the issue of violent individuals. The authors dissect personal characteristic of individuals who are suceptable to technology's influence. The two main characteristics examined were gender and aggressive traits. The authors also examined a study with the purpose of researching the impact of particpating in versus observing a violent act. It was concluded that immersion had a more significant impact on a person's thoughts and physical reactions to violence than observation alone.

~This book brought up the notion of psychological arousal, which I had not been familiar with before. I cited a number of direct quotes from the authors in my paper, which helped to convey the idea of what happens when biologically when an individual becomes aroused by a violent event. The authors tied in older theories with current issues.

2) Denno, Deborah W. Biology and Violence: From Birth to Adulthood. New York: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 2001. Print.

~The purpose of this book was to analyze specific subjects and their families from birth to adulthood in order to draw evidence linking biology and violence. The subjects in this book were analyzed both statistically and individually, which is unique from much of the comparable information that is available regarding the topic of biological influences of violence. This book also explores ways to remedy possible causes of precursors to violent crime.

~This book was the foundation for my research of violence and aggression. Not only did I widely utilize the concepts throughout Denno's book, but I also noticed that a few of my other sources cited Denno in their work as well. Denno's findings made perfect sense and are widely accepted by others in her field.

3) Krakowski, MD, PhD, Menahem. "Violence and Serotonin: Influence of Impulse Control, Affect Regulation, and Social Functioning." The Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Clincal Neurosciences 15 (2002): 294-305. Print.

~This article examined the relationship between aggression and brain serotonin levels. There is a link established between psychological and social factors to serotonin; proving that each has an affect on the other. Essentially this article established that although violence may be biologically pre-determined, the social context in which an individual experiences his or her being may trigger violent episodes.

~I found this article to not only be interesting, but also congruent to other information I was receiving from various sources. This article supported my arguement on a biological level.

4) Raine, Adrian, and Monte S. Buchsbaum. Violence, Brain Imaging, and Neuropsychology. University of Southern California, 1998. Print.

~This chapter outlines various theories, where/who they are derived from, and provides valuable definitions.

~I mainly used this chapter as a starting point to conduct further investigation into specific biological theories of violence. The text was very complex, but proved to have valuable information once I researched specific concepts further.

5) Reidd, Albert J., Klaus A. Miczek, and Jeffrey A. Roth. Understanding and Preventing Violence: Biobehavioral Influences. Vol. 2. National Academic, 1994. Print.

~This book provided a vast background on human behavior and its links to violence indluding American society, substance abuse, families, and firearms. The book also took a look into the consequences of violence as well as statistical perspectives. Other perspectives were explored in an entire chapter which discussed patterns and trends, as well as possible explanations.

~I utilized this book because it did not get caught up on psychological jargen and made concepts easy to understand and locate from the provided chapter outline. This book also had a more personal stance from the authors, which made it more sunjective while reading and understanding said concepts.

6) Rushton, J.P. "Self-report delinquency and violence in adult twins." Psychiatric Genetics 6.2 (1999): 87-90. Print.

~VERY important study in which the author describes retrospective self-reports from twin adults regarding aggressive and violent behavior. The subjects were asked to fill out questionaires pertaining to delinquent behavior. The results support a biological and genetic theory of violence due to the fact that men were found to be more violent than women (genetics). Studies included pairs of both monozygotic and dizygotic twins. Findings also revealed that envirnomental factors illicited violent behavior more from women than men who participated in the study.

~This study/article was very important in supporting my main argument. Findings were extremely interesting and relatively easy to understand with minor background og biology and genetics.

RJA #13b: Annotated Bibliography

1) Salter, A.C. (2003). Predators: Pedophiles, rapists, and other sex offenders: who they
are, how they operate, and how we can protect ourselves and our children. New
York, NY: Basic Books.

This book gives a first-hand account, through the technique of interviewing, what the criminals believe to be the root of their violent behavior, it also provides a generous amount of statistics as well as information regarding mental disease and violence.

2) Englander, E.K. (2007). Understanding Violence (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates.

This book provides valuable information about the foundations of violence as well as useful definitions and statistics.

3) Denno, D. W. (2001). Biology and Violence: From Birth to Adulthood. New York, NY: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge.

This book dissects biological and environmental influences on violence and looks at violent criminals as children and once again as adults. The book includes a number of useful case studies.

RJA #13a: Field Research Report

RJA #13a: Field Research Report–

My field research was mainly composed of a number of power points, class discussions, and information provided from two probation officers from the Denver PO who monitor sexually violent criminals. I have many pages of detailed notes to help me reference important information about violent people. I am still in the process of tying all of the information together, but essentially the debate between nature and nurture ensues and not one set of criteria solely explains violence.

RJA #12b: Presentation Plan

RJA #12b: Presentation Plan-

For my power point presentation, I will provide information about the etiology biological and genetic theories of violence and aggression. I will provide statistics (possibly including graphs and/ or charts), photos, and other visuals pertaining to my subject matter. I will also have a section that reviews the history of violence, going over how violence has evolved throughout time.

RJA #12a: Progress Report

As of right now, I am up to date on my required posts and textbook readings, I have also completed my thesis. I have completed my introduction, and am satisfied with it, but want to expand a bit more on it. I have a number of internet resources I have bookmarked on my Delicious account as well as on my personal laptop's history, which I have found to work better for me than using my Delicious account.

On my "to-do" list, I will turn in my formal outline, but am sure that as I am writing I will want to expand on certain points more. I also need to complete discussion 8 and provide classmates with feedback on their introductions.

RJA #11c: Thesis Statement Check

Amanda Walker

Emily Applegate

RJA #11b: Visual Aides

~neurological images
~violent individuals
~violent aftermath
~substances that contribute to violent acts

RJA #11a: Introduction

There is an ongoing debate sparked by the rise of violence in the United States as to whether nature or nurture is the primary factor for the problem that is now reaching epidemic proportions. Recognizing genetic and biological theories behind violence and aggressive behavior will allow progression of the knowledge about the brains of violent individuals. Understanding the minds of violent individuals heavily relies on biological and genetic theories of violence that provide valuable information about aspects of nature versus nurture, which are at the forefront of an ongoing debate, as well as important information about the anatomy of the brain and different systems that assist in regulating emotions.