This study empirically examined the general hypothesis that the recent rise in aggressive women's criminal behavior is a response to nontraditional self-perceptions of the female sex-role. 50 female inmates were administered the Attitudes Toward Women Scale and the Role Theory Demographic Index. Analysis of scores indicated significant inverse relationships between nontraditional sex-role attitudes held by incarcerated female felons and the relative severity of their prior criminal acts. Findings indicate that the women who viewed themselves as most traditionally “feminine” represented the most violent female offenders.
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