NCJ Number
108078
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (July 1987) Pages: 131-144
Date Published
1987
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study reports on the relationship between psychological factors and age and socioeconomic status of 480 male murderers, assailants, and thieves incarcerated in the central jails of Rajasthan, India.
Abstract
The sample included offenders from all dominant castes. Subjects came from rural areas and were incarcerated for 1 to 5 years. Their ages ranged from 19 to 50. Several tests were used to collect data on 10 dependent variables: intelligence, discrimination, depression, psychoticism, neuroticism, extroversion, insecurity, aggression, social responsibility, and emotional immaturity. Independent variables were nature of the crime, age, and socioeconomic status. The results showed that murderers were significantly more intelligent than assailants and thieves. Young offenders and those from upper socioeconomic classes were more intelligent than older convicts and those from lower socioeconomic classes, respectively. Murderers were less depressed than assailants who, in turn, were less depressed than thieves. Murderers were also significantly less psychotic and more extroverted than assailants and thieves. In comparison to the other two groups, murders were significantly less psychotic, more extroverted, less insecure, more aggressive, and displayed more social responsibility. Tables and 30 footnotes.