Citation

Parker RN. J. Res. Crime Delinq. 1995; 32(1): 3-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0022427895032001001

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although there has been a great deal of theoretical and empirical research on the causes and distribution of homicide during the past 30 years, almost all of this research has excluded from consideration the relationship between homicide and alcohol consumption. Based on theoretical analysis, a U.S. state-level study was conducted to test hypotheses concerning the relationship between alcohol and homicide from four major theoretical perspectives; specific predictions based on previous research on the causes of types of homicide were also derived. Five types of homicide rates were examined, with findings revealing that alcohol consumption rates change the way important predictors such as poverty and deterrence are related to specific types of homicide. Alcohol consumption has important direct net effects on two types of primary homicide, and alcohol regulation was found to interact with other forms of social control like capital punishment. Support was also found for a rational choice-based interaction between alcohol consumption and the application of death sentences. The article concludes with a discussion of the value of theoretical analysis, particularly when applied to the prediction of interactions.