NCJ Number
95296
Journal
Personality and Individual Differences Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (1984) Pages: 53-58
Date Published
1984
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the relationship between some personality variables and attribution of blame of offenders for their criminal activity.
Abstract
A specially-designed 'Blame Attribution Inventory' was constructed and administered to 224 Ss who had committed 'serious' criminal acts. Factor analysis of the items revealed 3 independent factors: (1) 'External' Attribution (i.e., blaming the crime on social circumstances, victims, society); (2) 'Mental-Element' Attribution (i.e., blaming responsibility for the crime on mental illness, poor self-control, distorted perception); (3) 'Guilt-Feeling' Attribution (i.e., feelings of remorse, regrets, need for punishment). The inventory was administered to 40 offender patients who had completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the Gough Socialization Scale (GSS) and the Beck Depression Inventory. External Attribution had significant correlation with the EPQ P scale, Mental-Element Attribution correlated significantly with the EPO L scale and the GSS. Guilt-Feeling Attribution was associated with depression and neuroticism. (Author abstract)