Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
08:05
A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence
Published on: March 23, 2022
Gun acquisition and use by juvenile offenders
P Ash1, A L Kellermann, D Fuqua-Whitley
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
JAMA
|June 12, 1996
Summary
Juvenile offenders often acquire guns passively before age 15. Purposeful acquisition correlates with frequent gun carrying, highlighting pathways to firearm violence among adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Firearm violence is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding juvenile gun acquisition is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns of gun acquisition among juvenile offenders.
- To identify the motivations and circumstances surrounding firearm possession in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Semistructured interviews were conducted with 63 incarcerated juvenile offenders (aged 13-18) in Atlanta.
- Data collected included age of acquisition, method of acquisition, and feelings associated with gun carrying.
Main Results:
- Most gun carriers acquired their first firearm before age 15, often passively.
- Adolescents who purposefully obtained guns were more likely to be frequent carriers.
- Carrying guns elicited feelings of safety, power, and excitement, but also anxiety.
Conclusions:
- Gun acquisition patterns among delinquent youth offer insights into firearm violence.
- Developmental understanding can inform targeted interventions to reduce adolescent gun carrying.
Related Concept Videos
01:47Aggression
Humans engage in aggression when they seek to cause harm or pain to another person. Aggression takes two forms depending on one’s motives: hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is motivated by feelings of anger with intent to cause pain; a fight in a bar with a stranger is an example of hostile aggression. In contrast, instrumental aggression is motivated by achieving a goal and does not necessarily involve intent to cause pain (Berkowitz, 1993); a contract killer who murders for hire...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
01:27Punishment
Negative reinforcement and punishment are often confused but serve distinct functions in behavior modification. Reinforcement, whether positive or negative, increases the likelihood of a desired behavior, while punishment decreases it.
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior.
Punishment can be positive or negative. Positive punishment involves adding an undesirable stimulus, such as scolding, to decrease a behavior. Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus, such as taking away a favorite toy, to decrease behavior.
01:24Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent patterns of disregard for the rights and well-being of others. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder exhibit behaviors that include deceitfulness, impulsivity, irresponsibility, aggression, and a profound lack of empathy. These traits often manifest early in life and persist into adulthood, leading to significant personal, social, and legal consequences.
Behavioral Characteristics and...
Behavioral Characteristics and...
01:30Oppositional Defiant Disorder
A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Diagnostic Criteria and...
01:28Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...