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Prisoners' personality: a factor analytically derived structure
The British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
|September 1, 1977
Summary
This study analyzed personality data from 175 prisoners. Findings reveal a unique prisoner personality structure, emphasizing hostility and anxiety over extraversion.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Personality Science
Background:
- Understanding the psychological profiles of incarcerated individuals is crucial for rehabilitation and correctional psychology.
- Previous research has explored personality traits in prisoner populations, but factor structures may vary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the specific personality factor structure within a long-term prisoner cohort.
- To compare the prominence of personality dimensions in prisoners versus the general population.
Main Methods:
- Factor analysis was applied to personality questionnaire data.
- The study included 175 participants with long-term incarceration status.
Main Results:
- A distinct personality factor structure was identified in the prisoner group.
- Hostility and anxiety emerged as highly prominent factors.
- Extraversion, a theoretically significant dimension, was found to be less important in this group.
Conclusions:
- The personality structure of long-term prisoners differs significantly from general population models.
- The prominence of hostility and anxiety suggests unique psychological adaptations to the prison environment.