NCJ Number
51275
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 259-270
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A GROUP OF 120 OFFENDERS AT THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTION FOR MEN, CHINO, WERE GIVEN ETHICAL CHOICE TESTS UNDER TWO SETS OF CIRCUMSTANCES. PRONOUNCED IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT EFFECTS WERE OBTAINED.
Abstract
THOSE IN CHARGE OF EVALUATING OFFENDERS HAVE LONG BEEN AWARE OF A SUBJECT'S ABILITY TO MANIPULATE ANSWERS TO PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS TO CREATE A FAVORABLE IMPRESSION. IN THIS STUDY, OFFENDERS INCARCERATED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME FOR PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION WERE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO ONE OF TWO GROUPS. THE FIRST GROUP WAS GIVEN AN ETHICAL-CHOICE TEST WITH NO INSTRUCTION. THE SECOND GROUP WAS TOLD THAT THE TEST WOULD AFFECT THE PRESENTENCE REPORT. THE SECOND GROUP GAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER NUMBER OF POSITIVE RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS DEALING WITH PROSOCIAL AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS. HOWEVER, A COMPARABLE IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT EFFECT WAS NOT SEEN FOR AVOIDANCE RESPONSES, AND WHAT EFFECT WAS SEEN WAS LIMITED TO NONSTRESSFUL CONDITIONS. THESE DIFFERENCES ARE ANALYZED IN DETAIL, AND TABLES ILLUSTRATE THE FINDINGS. THERE WAS ALSO STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN IMPRESSION-MANAGEMENT EFFECTS AND A SOCIOPATHIC MINNESOTA MULTIPHASIC INVENTORY PATTERN. THIS PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE HYPOTHESIS THAT SOCIOPATHIC OFFENDERS ARE ADEPT AT PRESENTING THE FACADE THEY FEEL WILL SERVE THEM BEST. AGING OFFENDERS ARE ALSO MORE LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT, OFTEN GIVING SUCH STATEMENTS AS THEY ARE BEGINNING TO 'BURN OUT' OR ARE 'TIRED OF GOING TO JAIL.' SINCE PRESENTENCE INTERVIEWS ARE OFTEN CONSTRUCTED ALONG THE LINES OF PROSOCIAL-ANTISOCIAL RESPONSE TESTS, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ADDITIONAL MEASURES BE USED IN PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATIONS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (GLR)