Why Are Arsonists Not Violent Offenders?

Abstract

Arson and violent offenders from a maximum security hospital were compared regarding demographic features and incidents of interpersonal violence. These two groups and a matched normal control group were compared on four rating scales (Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, Zung Depression Inventory, Moral Anxiety Questionnaire and a specially designed Attitudes to Offences Questionnaire). Arsonists were similar to violent offenders on all the demographic indices, except that arsonists were taken into care at an earlier age. A lower incidence of interpersonal aggression was noted in the arsonists. Arsonists rated themselves as less assertive than violent offenders or controls and displayed a greater instability concerning attitudes towards the seriousness of person and property offences. There were no differences between arsonists and violent offenders in terms of moral anxiety or depression ratings although both groups scored at the extremes on the moral anxiety scale and were more depressed when compared to normals. The results are discussed with reference to the individual and situational factors which may underlie the displaced aggression hypothesis of arson.