The clamor for severe punishment of illicit behavior is a phenomenon that has almost eluded systematic investigation. Since the desire to inflict punishment can be conceived as a form of violence, explanation is sought through the aggression in self-defense theory of R. Wentholt (Het agressierraagstuk [Paper on Aggression], Rotterdam: Erasmus U, 1972) that threat induces direct or indirect violence -- including the infliction of punishment -- or flight. A survey of the literature indicates that it must be assumed that threat & violence are interrelated. This explanation is supported by data resulting from the secondary analysis of a research project sponsored by the Dutch Dept of Justice of feelings of unrest caused by criminality. An experiment was conducted using 25 self-employed persons (considered threatened) & 25 tenured nonacademic U employees (considered unthreatened) & measures of punitiveness, direct aggression, & flight were compared. Results indicate that feeling threatened is likely to be related to the desire for severe punishment. 6 Tables. Modified HA.
