NCJ Number
54696
Journal
Psychological Reports Volume: 41 Dated: PART 1 (DECEMBER 1977) Pages: 935-941
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
SELF-DISCLOSURE LEVELS AMONG GROUPS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION WERE INVESTIGATED USING THE JOURARD SCALE TO EVALUATE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EXPERIENCED AND INEXPERIENCED POLICE.
Abstract
SUBJECTS FOR THE STUDY INCLUDED DAY AND EVENING STUDENTS MAJORING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, ARTS AND SCIENCE, AND BUSINESS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT. THEY WERE ASSIGNED TO THREE GROUPS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANALYSIS (BY MAJOR AND AGE, BY EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND BY MAJOR ONLY). THE JOURARD 60-ITEM SELF-DISCLOSURE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS ADMINISTERED TO THE THREE GROUPS TO ELICIT DATA IN SIX AREAS: ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS, TASTES AND INTERESTS, WORK, MONEY, PERSONALITY, AND BODY. THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF DATA ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE EXPERIENCE AND SELF-DISCLOSURE. WITH SUBJECTS ASKED TO INDICATE THEIR DISCLOSURE TO FOUR TARGET PERSONS (MOTHER, FATHER, MALE FRIEND, AND FEMALE FRIEND), THE RESULTING DATA SUGGESTED NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJORS AND OTHER COLLEGE GROUPS ON DISCLOSURE. OLDER RESPONDENTS DISCLOSED SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN YOUNGER RESPONDENTS. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FINDING OF THE ANALYSIS IS THAT POLICE WHO REMAIN ACTIVE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BECOME LESS SELF-DISCLOSING AS THEY ACCUMULATE EXPERIENCE. THIS MAY BE OF CONSIDERABLE INTEREST TO POLICE ADMINISTRATORS AND SOCIAL SCIENTISTS WHO MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING PERSONNEL PRACTICES OF POLICE AGENCIES. IF ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THE NOTION THAT POLICE ATTITUDES, INCLUDING PERFORMANCE, ARE IMPAIRED AS EXPERIENCE ACCUMULATES, ALTERNATIVE PERSONNEL POLICIES MAY HAVE TO BE CREATED. SUPPORTING DATA AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)