NCJ Number
16973
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 263-268
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY TO ASSESS THE VALIDITY OF CURRENT VIEWS ON FORGERS, TO ASCERTAIN THE DISTINCTIVE ELEMENTS OF THE FORGER'S PERSONALITY, AND TO DETERMINE THE MOST EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES OF TREATMENT.
Abstract
COMPARED WITH OTHER FELONS, FORGERS ARE USUALLY SEEN AS BEING MORE CAPABLE, INTELLIGENT AND SKILLED, AND ARE ALSO CONSIDERED TO BE MORE LIABLE TO VIOLATE PROBATION CONDITIONS BY REPEATING THEIR OFFENSE. IN THIS STUDY, A GROUP OF 683 FORGERY PROBATIONERS WAS COMPARED WITH 2,319 BURGLARS AND 777 AUTO THIEVES. THE STUDY SHOWED THAT FORGERS HAVE A COMMON PERSONALITY PATTERN AND DIFFER FROM BURGLARS AND AUTO THIEVES IN PERSONAL-SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS. COMPARED WITH THESE OTHER FELONS, THE FORGER IS OLDER, MORE LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN ON PROBATION BEFORE, FRIENDLIER, MORE COOPERATIVE, BETTER DISCIPLINED, LESS PRONE TO USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS, NEATER IN APPEARANCE, AND LESS TRUTHFUL. IT WAS ALSO DEMONSTRATED THAT THE FORGER'S FACADE OF ADJUSTMENT OFTEN CONVINCES HIS PROBATION OFFICER THAT ALL IS WELL AND THAT LITTLE HELP IS NEEDED. HIS TYPICAL PERSONALITY PATTERN OF INCONGRUITY BETWEEN BASIC (OFTEN REPRESSED) ATTITUDES AND APPROVED SOCIAL ROLES OFTEN HAMPERS COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY. IT IS CONTENDED THAT SUCCESSFUL DIAGNOSIS OF THE FORGER DEPENDS ON DISCOVERING HIS REAL PERSONAL OR SITUATIONAL STRESSES AND THAT SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT CALLS FOR ACCEPTANCE, SUPPORT, REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS, AND COUNSELING SKILL IN FACILITATING CONFRONTATION OF REAL PROBLEMS. AUTHORITARIAN WARNINGS, REPRIMANDS, AND TECHNICAL REGULATIONS WERE FOUND TO BE INEFFECTIVE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)