Abstract
A consideration of economic situation and actual goods stolen was used to divide 101 shoplifters into three categories; shoplifting for profit or gain and two levels of "non-sensical" shoplifting, i.e. shoplifting not apparently motivated by need or desire. The groups were compared on demographic and relevant background information, psychosocial stressors preceding the offense, and general psychological profile. The non-sensical shoplifter is more likely to be older, married, foreignborn, adopted, to have experienced an unusual childhood stress, and to be depressed and socially isolated in comparison to other shoplifters. Shoplifters in general are more likely to be femrale than male. An explanation in terms of an accumulation of stessors over time in certain individuals was offered as one interpretation of the findings.
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