NCJ Number
82556
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1982) Pages: 1-20
Date Published
1982
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study of 105 violent offenders supports the applicability of the under-controlled/over-controlled typology for a population of mixed offenders with current or previous convictions for violence.
Abstract
The study attempted to replicate earlier typological studies using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) measures designed to measure directly those aspects underlying previous classification systems. The study also sought to assess social and interpersonal difficulties reported by individuals in each cluster in order to delineate specific social skills deficits for each group. All data were taken from a larger study by Gunn, Robertson, Dell, and Way (1978). Eight MMPI measures were used to cover five areas: psychiatric symptomatology, hostility expression and control, interpersonal relations, extraversion, and delinquency. Two clustering techniques were used. To define the clusters, the study calculated one-way analyses of variance on all eight MMPI measures. Four clusters were identified: disturbed-hostile, extraverted-hostile, inhibited, and controlled. Results support the applicability of the under-controlled/over-controlled typology. The types appear to be independent of conviction history. Few of the social and interpersonal ratings showed significant differences among clusters. Factors contributing to this lack of significance are discussed. Those ratings which did reach significance tended to discriminate the inhibited offender from the remaining three on friendship and group functioning. Five tables, 4 figures, and 24 references are provided.