College Shoplifters: Rebuttal of Beck and Mc Intyre

Abstract

Prior findings by Beck and McIntyre about the relationship between shoplifting and pathology or maladjustment among college students were tested with 78 full-time college students, convicted of first-offense shoplifting. Contrary to the earlier study, there was little evidence that pathology or maladjustment were significant contributing factors. There were no meaningful personality differences on the California Psychological Inventory between regular and occasional shoplifters or a sample of 30 undergraduates who denied ever shoplifting. The personality test data, offense records, and the diverse motives found among regular shoplifters indicated these college students were not delinquent, criminal personalities, psychopaths, and had no psychopathic tendencies. They steal for a variety of reasons, including the acquisition of personally attractive goods while saving money for other purposes.