NCJ Number
81553
Journal
Sociological Symposium Volume: 9 Dated: (1973) Pages: 37-50
Date Published
1973
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Recent research on overcontrolled and undercontrolled personality patterns among violent offenders is discussed, and the development and validation of a psychological assessment instrument that appears to identify the overcontrolled type are discussed.
Abstract
Verification of the hypothesis that overcontrolled as well as undercontrolled persons might engage in violent behavior would have important implications for clinical practice as well as theory. The treatment programs of most penal institutions have been predicated on the assumption that the violent offender needs to develop more controls against aggressive behavior. Demonstration of an overcontrolled violent type would require some radical rethinking and provision for alternative treatment plans. In the early 1960's, the notion that overcontrolled as well as undercontrolled persons are likely to manifest violent behavior was supported only by clinical observations, case studies, and news reports. Since that time, the author conducted research that tested the hypothesis that a sample of extremely assaultive offenders should be assessed as more controlled and less hostile as a group than would samples of moderately or mildly aggressive offenders. This hypothesis was tested by assessing the hostility and control of four groups of male juvenile delinquents. Results supported the hypothesis. Three other studies have all supported the hypothesis that overcontrolled as well as undercontrolled persons may engage in extreme acts of violence. This is apparently due to the overcontrolled person's inability to cope with particularly heavy or sustained experiences of frustration and stress, such that explosive aggression is the outcome. The development of the Overcontrolled Hostility Scale (Megargee, Cook, and Mendelsohn, 1967) is described. This scale appears to assess a construct, overcontrolled hostility that is not yet assessed by other personality assessment devices. About 30 references and 6 footnotes are provided.