In this study, the possibility that clusters of variables rather than single measures enhanced differentiation between subgroups of offenders was considered. Discriminant analyses were computed to determine which 23 measures from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Revised, Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised, Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, and a social history questionnaire differentiated 18 dangerous, 17 non-dangerous offenders, and 30 non-offenders. Analysis showed some significant clusters separated dangerous and non-dangerous offenders. Conclusions and limitations are discussed within the context of criminality.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
CaplanN.NelsonS.On being useful: The nature and consequences of psychological research on social problems. American Psychologist, 1973, 28, 199–211.
DavisK. R.SinesJ. O.An antisocial behavior pattern associated with a specific MMPI profile. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1971, 36, 229–234.
4.
EdwardsA. L.Edwards Personal Preference Schedule—Revised manual. New York: Psychological Corp., 1959.
5.
HollandT. R.BeckettG. E.LeviM.Intelligence, personality, and criminal violence: A multivariate analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1981, 49, 106–111.
6.
JonesT.BiedelmanW. B.FowlerR. D.Differentiating violent and non-violent prison inmates by use of selected MMPI scales. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1981, 37, 673–678.
7.
DonJ. R.MaddenD. J.ChristopherR. L.A violence clinic: Three years' experience. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1976, 133, 432–435.
8.
NieN. H.HullC. H.JenkinsJ. B.SteinbrennerK.BentD. H.Statistical package for the social sciences. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975.
9.
PersonsR. W.MarksD. A.The violent 4–3 MMPI personality type. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1971, 36, 189–195.
10.
QuinseyV. L.Psychiatric staff conferences on dangerous mentally disordered offenders. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 1975, 7, 60–69.
11.
QuinseyV. L.Assessments of the dangerousness of mental patients held in maximum security. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 1979, 2, 389–406.
12.
RubinB.Prediction of dangerousness in mentally ill criminals. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1972, 27, 397–407.
13.
ShahS. A.Community mental health and the criminal justice system: Some issues and problems. Mental Hygiene, 1970, 43, 1–12.
14.
ShahS. A.Dangerousness and civil commitment of the mentally ill: Some public policy considerations. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1975, 132, 501–505.
15.
ShahS. A.Dangerousness: A paradigm for exploring some issues in law and psychology. American Psychologist, 1978, 33, 224–238.
16.
SpellacyF.Neuropsychological discrimination between violent and non-violent men. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1978, 34, 49–52.
17.
ValliantP. M.Simpson-HousleyP.CooperD.Variations in locus of control and repression-sensitization in acute schizophrenics, schizophrenic criminals, and criminal psychiatric offenders. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1982, 55, 919–924.
18.
WechslerD.Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised. New York: Psychological Corp., 1981.
19.
WitkinH. A.MednickS. A.SchulstngerF.BakkestromC.OwenD. R.PhilipsI.RubinD. B.StockingsM.Criminality in XYY and XXY men. Science, 1976, 196, 547–555.
