NCJ Number
86695
Journal
Personality and Individual Differences Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (1981) Pages: 129-136
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Based on Megargee's theory of control, this British study of 40 incarcerated homicide offenders hypothesized that undercontrolled subjects, relative to controlled subjects, would show a history of pathology and instability and would be viewed by prison staff as needing more control and treatment at the beginning of their sentence.
Abstract
Megargee (1966) has attempted to explain why so many mild mannered individuals are found among murderers by suggesting that extremely assaultive offenders can be divided into two types: the 'overcontrolled' person and the 'undercontrolled' person. This study contrasted 10 controlled and 30 undercontrolled homicide offenders (produced by a cluster analysis of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory profiles) on 5 sets of variables. These included intellectual, background, prison officers' ratings, indices of institutional discontent, and attitudes toward prison. No significant differences were found between the two groups on the intellectual and attitudinal variables. However, as predicted, the controlled homicide offenders in contrast to the undercontrolled offenders came from stable backgrounds with no history of previous psychiatric treatment or assaultive behavior. In prison they reported sick less frequently, committed fewer offenses against discipline, and made fewer requests concerning the conditions of their confinement than the undercontrolled group. Prison officers rated the controlled subjects as more self-sufficient and having fewer training needs than the undercontrolled individuals. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of differential treatment and resource allocation to two types of prison regime. Study data and 16 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)