First offender adult shoplifters: a preliminary profile

Ninety-four adult first offender shoplifters completed a battery of psychological tests prior to their involvement in a novel and innovative West Texas Shoplifter Offenders Program (SOP). Analysis of the test results indicated that the modal shoplifter is female, Hispanic, and is likely to evidence a subclinical 8-4 high-point pair on the MMPI. Males tend to act more impulsively than females in their shoplifting styles. Shoplifters are no more likely to endorse irrational beliefs than normative groups. However, shoplifters tend to be rather anxious, depressed, and self-doubting. The results are discussed in terms of conceptual implications for SOP design and implementation.