Aggression in a prison setting as a function of lunar phases

Psychol Rep. 1998 Jun;82(3 Pt 1):747-52. doi: 10.2466/pr0.1998.82.3.747.

Abstract

Previous studies of the possible effects of the moon's phases upon human behavior initially yielded contradictory results and later more consistently negative results. The present study capitalized on a captive deviant sample prone to aggression, one of the earlier targeted behaviors. A Pearson correlation between number of reported incidents in a Texas prison and the amount of lunar luminosity (lunar phases) yielded no significant correlation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Moon*
  • Prisoners / psychology*
  • Prisons*
  • Security Measures
  • Social Environment
  • Violence / prevention & control
  • Violence / psychology