NCJ Number
25388
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 95-99
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A STUDY WHICH HYPOTHESIZED THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT ORIENTED STUDENTS WOULD BE MORE AUTHORITARIAN OR DOGMATIC THAN CORRECTIONS-ORIENTED STUDENTS.
Abstract
THE ROKEACH DOGMATISM SCALE, THE 'D' SCALE, WAS ADMINISTERED TO 126 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE CRIMINOLOGY PROGRAM AT INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY. BACKGROUND INFORMATION, INCLUDING AGE, SEX, PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CORRECTIONS, CLASS YEAR, AND FATHER'S OCCUPATION, WAS ALSO COLLECTED TO DETERMINE EACH STUDENTS' SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS. STUDY FINDINGS INDICATED THAT THE STUDENTS WHO HAD SELECTED LAW ENFORCEMENT AS THEIR CAREER CHOICE SCORED SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER ON THE DOGMATISM VARIABLE THAT DID CORRECTIONS-ORIENTED STUDENTS. STATISTICAL TESTS CONTROLLING FOR THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION COLLECTED DID NOT ALTER THIS FINDING. THE AUTHOR DISCUSSES THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE STUDY RESULTS, I.E., THAT THE ROLE OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MAY BE ATTRACTIVE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO TEND TO BE DOGMATIC. METHODS OF COMBATTING AND CONTROLLING THIS PERCEPTION OF THE POLICE ROLE OR ROLE EXPECTATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT STUDENTS AND ACTUAL POLICE OFFICERS ARE CONSIDERED.