NCJ Number
84224
Journal
Social Deferce Volume: 17 Issue: 65 Dated: (July 1981) Pages: 38-43
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Personality tests administered to 50 males from India's prisons and 50 noncriminals from the general population revealed significant differences in 8 out of 15 need traits measured by the test.
Abstract
This study used the Tripathi Personal Preference Schedule, a multitrait personality scale in Hindi containing 210 items to measure the following need traits: achievement, deference, order, exhibition, autonomy, affiliation, introception, succorance, dominance, abasement, nurturance, change, endurance, heterosexuality, and aggression. The samples were matched for age and completed the test in small groups or individually. Criminals scored significantly lower than noncriminals on order, succorance, abasement, and endurance and higher on exhibition, dominance, change, and heterosexuality. The samples did not differ significantly on the remaining seven traits. These results indicate that criminals do not like orderliness and do not want help when in trouble, kindly treatment, or sympathy about personal problems. Furthermore, criminals probably do not feel guilty when they commit something wrong and have difficulty finishing a job. Other scores suggest that criminals like to talk about their personal adventures, express their power over others and try new and different things. Their high heterosexuality scores indicate a wish to be engaged in social activities with the opposite sex and regarded as physically attractive. Tables and references are included.