NCJ Number
55795
Date Published
1978
Length
111 pages
Annotation
ATTITUDINAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INMATES WHO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SUCCESSFULLY AND THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE BUT FAIL ARE EXPLORED IN A STUDY OF 50 INMATES IN A PENNSYLVANIA PRISON.
Abstract
THE STUDY SUBJECTS WERE PARTICIPANTS IN THE GENERAL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA (GED) PROGRAM AT CAMP HILL STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. DURING THE 7TH WEEK OF THE 15-WEEK GED SEMESTER, THE SUBJECTS COMPLETED A SCALE DESIGNED TO MEASURE THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD FAMILY, MONEY, SOCIETY, SELF, EMPLOYMENT, AND EDUCATION--CONCEPTS SELECTED FOR THEIR COMMON CULTURAL MEANING AND RELEVANCE TO THE SUBJECTS' FUTURE LIVES. AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER, THE SUBJECTS TOOK THE GED TEST. THEY WERE NOTIFIED OF THEIR PERFORMANCE ON THE TEST AFTER 4 TO 6 WEEKS. THE ATTITUDE TEST WAS ADMINISTERED AGAIN 3 DAYS AFTER NOTIFICATION TO 45 OF THE SUBJECTS (5 HAD WITHDRAWN FROM THE PROGRAM), INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAD PASSED THE TEST AND THOSE WHO HAD FAILED. THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN ATTITUDE FOR EITHER GROUP. THE HYPOTHESIS THAT GED ACHIEVERS WOULD SHOW MORE FAVORABLE ATTITUDES TOWARD THEIR FUTURES WAS NOT BORN OUT. BOTH GROUPS EXHIBITED RATHER HEALTHY ATTITUDES FROM THE START. THERE WAS SOME INDICATION THAT THE RESPONDENTS MISUNDERSTOOD THE CONCEPT OF SOCIETY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THEM. FACTORS THAT MAY HAVE INFLUENCED THE FINDINGS ARE NOTED. A LITERATURE REVIEW, SUPPORTING DATA, A COPY OF THE STUDY INSTRUMENT, AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)