ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how social learning theory contributes to one’s understanding of the direction of lethal violence and group differences in homicide and suicide rates. It describes the intellectual foundation and key causal mechanisms of the integrated homicide-suicide theory. The chapter examines how social learning theory can explain how a process at the individual level is ultimately manifested in aggregate level, group differences in lethal violence rates. It explores potential theoretical connections based upon the guidance provided by previous research. The chapter discusses the factors that affect attribution style for each group. It provides a basic overview of theoretical connections and foundations for differences that are rooted in cultural and historical experiences. The chapter draws attention to how differential reinforcement may occur with respect to the learning of other attitudes and norms that are relevant to the direction of aggression. It identifies some of the social and cultural norms and theorized their link with the direction of lethal aggression.
