Beliefs, attitudes, and male-to-male barroom aggression: Development of a theoretical predictive model

Abstract

While evidence suggests that male-to-male barroom aggression is linked to attitudes and beliefs, there exists no theoretical model that delineates these relationships. We use theory on attitudes and behavior as well as sociocultural theories of alcohol and aggression to develop a model linking beliefs and attitudes to the likelihood of engaging in male-to-male barroom aggression. The model identifies five dimensions of attitudes and beliefs regarding alcohol-related aggression: (1) expected consequences; (2) perceived normality and acceptability by others; (3) beliefs about drinking and the role of alcohol in aggression; (4) social honor and protection of masculine identity; and (5) personal approval or disapproval of male barroom aggression. Qualitative and ethnographic research on barroom drinking and aggression is used to describe these dimensions and to hypothesize how they might influence the occurrence of male-to-male barroom aggression. This model may be useful for identifying avenues for prevention and for comparing the explanatory role of attitudes and beliefs across cultures.