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In the light of theoretical considerations. and based upon the data obtained from a survey research on vandalism in Tehran, this article attempts to summarize and synthesize the findings and results of the survey in order to describe the characteristics of the vandals and those


who are not prone to vandalism. Furthermore, the behavioral characteristics of the vandals have been compared with those who are prone to vandalism in other communities so as to gain certain similarities in their criminal behavioral patterns. This allows to present a theoretical model, and to put forward the factors under which the
vandalistic behavior appears.
The data utilized in the research were collected by a 10 page questionnaire composed of 110 items. A sample of 200 vandals along with 200 non - vandals which was drawn through a disproportionately stratified sampling was surveyed in order to achieve the aims of the
research.
The research findings indicate that the vandals under study were quite different from those who were not prone to vandalism in terms of their family background, socio - economic status, age group, gender, childhood experiences, school achievement and so on. The reseach results also demonstrate that vandals' tendency toward vandalism has
been under the int1uence of various factors. They have had a feeling of
normlessness, isolation, discrimination, conflict, revengefulness and extortion. They were also politically alienated, emotionally depressed, socially anti - society, morally weak with a great tendency toward deviant sub - culture.