Comments on Criminal Offenders and the WAIS Picture Arrangement “Hold-up” Item

Abstract

This paper comments on the criminal offender's tendency to identify with the “hold-up” item of the WAIS Picture Arrangement subtest. It is suggested that a qualitative analysis of the subject's interpretation of the “hold-up” sketches can shed light on feelings, attitudes, and previous experiences with respect to criminality and antisocial behavior. Qualitative analysis can also provide material on the subject's perceptions of authority figures and the victims of crimes. The paper also considers the criminal offender's sequential arrangements of the “hold-up” item and suggests that a prevalent incorrect sequence, i.e., ABDC, may be related to the criminal offender's actual experiences with the criminal justice system.