Parental behavior in the cycle of aggression.

In the study described here, a longitudinal, prospective approach was used to compare men who had been raised by aggressive, by punitive, and by neither aggressive nor punitive parents. The purpose of these comparisons was to attempt to identify processes that might account for intergenerational transmission of antisocial behavior. Men who had been reared in aggressive families tended to be expressive as well as to commit crimes. Men reared by punitive parents showed a tendency to be egocentric. I therefore suggest that parental aggressiveness may be transmitted through two messages. The first is the message that expressive behavior, including injurious actions, is normal and often justified. The second is the message that egocentrism is both normal and virtuous.