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A Time-Series Analysis of War and Levels of Interpersonal Violence in an English Military Town, 1700–1781

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 January 2016

Jessica Warner ,
Gerhard Gmel ,
Kathryn Graham  and
Bonnie Erickson
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Abstract

More than 7,000 assaults were reported to the magistrates of Portsmouth, England, between 1700 and 1781. Time-series analyses were run to see (1) what effects, if any, war had on levels of aggression and (2) whether overall levels of aggression decreased over time. Aggression was measured in two ways: (1) the extent to which assailants ganged up on adversaries and (2) levels of violence in individual confrontations (whether a weapon was used, and if so, what type; whether assailants refrained from using a weapon; and whether they stopped short of physical violence and instead merely insulted or threatened their enemies). Neither measure showed a significant variation over time. The participation of women in brawls decreased, but the aggressiveness of those who continued to brawl actually increased. Complaints about insults and threats declined, while complaints of a more serious nature showed a modest increase, reflecting, among other things, the emergence of new definitions of actionable behavior.

Type
Articles
Information
Social Science History , Volume 31 , Issue 4 , Winter 2007 , pp. 575 - 602
Copyright
Copyright © Social Science History Association 2007 

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