NCJ Number
43101
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology, Methods and Therapy Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (1977) Pages: 73-78
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ABSENCE OR PRESENCE OF GUILT FEELINGS IS AN ACCURATE DETERMINANT OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IS DISCUSSED, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR TREATMENT ARE EXPLORED.
Abstract
THE CONCLUSION IS ADVANCED THAT, WHEN GUILT IS EITHER EXCESSIVE OR DEFICIENT, IT TENDS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT VARIABLE IN CONTRIBUTING TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. BETWEEN 1968 AND 1975, 110 ADULT FEMALE INMATES OF A MAINE WOMEN'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, MANY OF WHOM WERE INCARCERATED FOR REPEATED SERIOUS CRIMINAL OFFENSES, WERE TESTED IN REGARD TO PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED PATTERNS. THE EDWARDS PERSONAL PREFERENCE SCHEDULE (EPPS) WAS THE TOOL FOR MEASURING 15 PERSONALITY NEEDS, INCLUDING 'NEED FOR ABASEMENT,' USED HERE AS AN EQUIVALENT OF SELF-BLAME OR GUILT. A 60 PERCENT MAJORITY OF THE INMATES FELL INTO EITHER THE LOW PERCENTILE (27 SUBJECTS) OR HIGH PERCENTILE (37 SUBJECTS) IN TERMS OF NEED FOR ABASEMENT; THE INMATES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER AND HIGHER IN THIS RESPECT THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION. RESULTS TENDED TO CONFIRM THE HYPOTHESIS THAT, ON THE BASIS OF NEED FOR ABASEMENT, TWO TYPES OF PSYCHOPATHS EXIST: PRIMARY PSYCHOPATHS WHO EXHIBIT NO ANZIETYA AND HAVE CHARACTER DISORDERS, AND SECONDARY PSYCHOPATHS WHO MANIFEST ANXIETY AND ARE NEUROTIC IN TERMS OF PATHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT. THE TWO GROUPS ALSO DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY IN NEED FOR ACHIEVEMENT, EXHIBITIONISM, DOMINANCE, NURTURANCE, CHANGE, AND AGGRESSION. TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT APPROACHES SUITABLE TO THE TWO CONSCIENCE DEVELOPMENT GROUPS ARE OFFERED. FINDINGS ARE PRESENTED IN TABULAR FORM, AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.