NCJ Number
138048
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1992) Pages: 1-65
Date Published
1992
Length
65 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effect of transcendental meditation (TM) on the emotional, motivational, and cognitive characteristics of inmates in India.
Abstract
TM, a technique popularized by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, involves the effortless experiencing of a state of mind (called "mantra" in Sanskrit) that can bring permanent, beneficial mental and physical effects in the practitioner. TM is initially taught by specially trained teachers. The teaching of the technique consists of two introductory lectures and a weekend course of instruction. Students practice the technique twice daily for 20 minutes each time. This assessment of the effectiveness of TM on inmates involved the testing of three groups: a TM group of 115 inmates, a relaxation-therapy group of 75 matched inmates, and a control group of 75 matched inmates who did not receive any treatment. The groups were tested at three stages: before, during, and after the program period. The tests administered were the Personality Inventory, the Self-Ideal Congruity Test, the Semantic Differential, the Creativity Tests, the Locus of Control Questionnaire, the Embedded Figure Test, and the Choice-Dilemma Questionnaire. These tests measured extraversion and introversion, neuroticism, psychoticism, criminal propensity, self-concept, semantic differential, locus of control, risk-taking behavior, and creativity. The study found that TM was superior to relaxation therapy in favorably impacting self-ideal, independence, locus of control, and risk-taking behavior. Relaxation therapy was superior to TM in its modification of personal attitudes. Both techniques produced changes that did not occur in the control group. 28 tables and 74 references