A conceptual framework of the formation of retaliatory-motivated arson behavior

Jiuen-Yi Huang       Kuang-Hui Yeh

 Abstract

 This study investigated the motivation and formation of arson behavior with in-depth interview method. Subjects are fifteen inmates committing arson crime in Taipei Prison. The results showed that the arson motivation included retaliation (eight subjects), suicide (one subject), sensation-seeking (one subject). Another five subjects did not admit that they committed arson crime. These subjects indicated they were falsely accused, or it was an accident. Due to most subjects’ motivation was retaliation, this study established a conceptual framework of the formation of retaliatory-motivated arson behavior from the following perspectives: conflict event, subjects’ cognitive style, emotional state before committing arson, intention and motivation, past experiences, cynical and low self-control personality, physiological and mental state, and appropriate time and situation. Comparing with past literature, this study did not find interest-motivated and crime-concealment-motivated arsonist, probably because: these kinds of arsonists were intelligent criminals so they were hard to be caught, they also were in the prison but not in the name of arson, instead, e.g. homicide. This study also showed that habitual arsonists had the following characteristics: psychological disadvantage, dissatisfaction with life and self, ineffective social interaction, with the desire of changing their circumstances, returning to the scene of crime, and occurrence of fire-fighting behavior. The following indigenous social-culture phenomena were found to have an influence on subjects’ committing arson behavior: only-son phenomenon in Chinese society, different viewpoint on discipline between parent and child, empty state before serving as soldier compulsorily in Taiwan, marriage with aboriginal. Preventing measures of arson behavior were given as following: helping among neighbors, establishing institutes of consultation widely, taking good care of the handicapped by government.

Key words: indigenous social-culture phenomena, strategy of prevention,

conceptual framework, arson, motivation of arson behavior

報復洩恨型縱火行為的動機與形成歷程

    黃軍義                                 葉光輝

      法務部犯罪研究中心研究員       中央研究院副研究員

 摘  要

本研究以質化的研究方法，探討縱火犯罪行為的動機與形成歷程。接受深入法談的受訪者為台北監獄內十五位縱火罪受刑人。結果顯示，十五位受訪者中有八位之縱火動機為挾怨報復，一位為自殺，一位為追求刺激，另五位不承認縱火罪行（認係栽贓、冤判或意外）。由於報復洩恨動機者佔多數，資料較為豐富，故本研究以此類型縱火者為對象，建立「報復洩恨型」縱火者動機形成歷程的概念架構。此一概念架構從衝突事件、認知型態、情緒狀態、動機意圖、過去經驗、性格特質、生理與精神狀態、情境與時機等，探討縱火行為的形成歷程。與過去相關文獻比較，可發現本研究中，基於謀利或隱匿犯罪證據而縱火情況，並未出現；縱火慣犯則具有心理不適應、對現狀及自我不滿、社會互動不良、想要改變環境等特徵，並有重返現場，或協助救火的行為出現。本研究並指出下列本土文化特色，對縱火行為動機的形成具有影響：華人社會中的獨子性格現象、代間管教觀的差異、當兵前的真空狀態、與原住民的老少配婚姻等。最後，本研究提出社區守望相助、廣設心理輔導機構、照顧殘障者生活等防制縱火行為的建言。      

關鍵詞：本土文化特色、防制策略、概念架構、縱火行為、縱火動機