Violent Writing: a Quantitative Examination of an Unexplored High School Phenomenon
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by The University of North Carolina at Greensboro VIOLENT WRITING: A QUANTITATIVE EXAMINATION OF AN UNEXPLORED HIGH SCHOOL PHENOMENON A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate School of Western Carolina University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education. By: Lori Dawn Brown Director: Dr. Frederick Buskey Associate Professor Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations Committee Members: Dr. Jessica Cunningham, Educational Leadership and Foundations Dr. Brian Lawrence, English May 26, 2011 © 2011 by Lori Dawn Brown ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The research and writing process that led to the completion of this dissertation process was not completed in isolation. I am grateful to many individuals for purposeful assistance. First, to my doctoral committee at Western Carolina University,“THANK YOU!” Without your advice, knowledge, and guidance, I could not have reached the finish line. I appreciate Dr. Buskey‟s leadership for the process, Dr. Cunningham‟s statistical input and assistance, and Dr. Lawrence‟s attention to language and its meaning, particularly during the creation of the survey instrument. I would also like to extend my thanks to author, consultant, and Forensic Psychologist Dr. Kris Mohandie for his insight, perspective, and involvement as an expert panelist. His knowledge guided my thoughts in the earliest stages of research. Additionally, I am grateful to the many North Carolina high school English teachers who completed the survey and allowed the research process to function smoothly. To my family…there are no words to express how I truly feel about your participation in this journey. To my parents, Dennis and Linda Brown, and twin sister, Kristi, I express my deepest appreciation for your patience and support through the most difficult periods of this journey. Your encouragement at just the right moments carried me through. Additional appreciation is expressed to friends who edited or asked critical questions that improved the final draft, and to my employer for understanding the rigorous demands of this process. Finally, this journey comes to completion because of the daily strength and wisdom provided by my Savior, Jesus Christ. In the words of Psalm 55:22, I casted my cares upon Him, and He sustained me. This dissertation is a reflection of His grace and guidance. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Tables ............................................................................................................... 6 Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter I: Introduction ................................................................................................. 9 Background ...................................................................................................... 9 Statement of the Problem ................................................................... 13 Purpose of the Study .......................................................................... 13 Conceptual Framework ...................................................................... 14 Significance of the Study ................................................................... 16 Assumptions ....................................................................................... 17 Overview of Methodology ................................................................. 17 Limitations and Delimitations of the Study ................................................... 18 Definition of Terms........................................................................................ 19 Summary ........................................................................................................ 21 Chapter II: Review of the Literature .......................................................................... 22 From Violence to Violent Writing ................................................................. 22 Accepted Definitions of Violence ...................................................... 22 Real World Violence.......................................................................... 22 Recommended Definitions for Violent Writing ................................ 24 Categorization of Violent Writing ..................................................... 28 Existence of Violent Writing ......................................................................... 31 Evidence of Violent Writing in Pop Culture...................................... 31 Relationship Between Violent Pop Culture and School Shooters .... 34 Evidence of Violent Writing from Convicted Teenage Criminals .... 36 Evidence of Violent Writing in the Post-Secondary Classroom ........ 40 Evidence of Violence in Adolescent and Gender Specific Texts ...... 45 Responses to Violent Writing ........................................................................ 52 Law Enforcement Response .............................................................. 52 School Response ................................................................................ 55 Teacher Response .............................................................................. 59 Preparedness to Respond to Violent Writing ................................................. 66 Law Enforcement Preparedness ......................................................... 66 School Preparedness .......................................................................... 70 Teacher Preparedness......................................................................... 75 Violent Writing Typology.............................................................................. 80 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 84 Chapter III: Research Methods .................................................................................. 85 Research Questions ........................................................................................ 85 Research Design............................................................................................. 85 Population and Sampling ............................................................................... 86 Instrumentation .............................................................................................. 88 Survey Contents ................................................................................. 88 Survey Development Process ............................................................ 91 Reliability and Validity Evidence ...................................................... 91 Content Validity ............................................................................................. 92 Pilot Study .......................................................................................... 93 Instrument Revisions and Reliability ................................................. 97 Data Collection Procedures ............................................................................ 99 Data Analysis Procedures ............................................................................ 100 Demographic Data ........................................................................... 100 Question One: Frequency ................................................................ 101 Question Two: Response ................................................................. 101 Question Three: Perception of Preparedness .................................. 102 Policy and Training Data ................................................................. 102 Summary ...................................................................................................... 102 Chapter IV: Analysis of Findings ............................................................................ 104 Respondent Demographics .......................................................................... 104 School Demographics .................................................................................. 106 School Schedules ............................................................................. 107 Type of School ................................................................................. 107 Number of Students Taught ............................................................. 107 Research Questions ...................................................................................... 108 Question One: Frequency Data ........................................................ 108 Question Two: Response Data ......................................................... 115 Participants Who Had Encountered ..................................... 116 Participants Who Had Not Encountered .............................. 119 Summed Responses From Both Sub-Groups ....................... 122 Question Three: Preparedness Data ................................................. 124 Summary .......................................................................................... 133 Chapter V: Discussion ............................................................................................. 134 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................... 134 Discussion .................................................................................................... 134 Frequency ........................................................................................