Criminal Behaviour as a Function of Personality Factors and Mental Health
Author : Sujeet Kumar
Abstract :
The present empirical study was conducted on 200 adult criminals imprisoned for bailable offence and 200 adult criminals imprisoned for non-bailed offence i.e. the sample comprised of criminals (N=400) imprisoned for cognizable and non-cognizable offences. They were selected from the different jails of Patna district using purposive sampling technique. The criminal respondents were selected in such a way they must be equal in respect of moderate crime or non-cognizable offences committed by them (group-I, N=200) and severe or heinous crime or cognizable offences committed by them. (Group-II, N=200). So, study is based on ex-posl-facto research design. The purpose was to investigate into the personality traits (impulsivity and aggressiveness) and mental health amongst two groups of criminals. It was hypothesized that there will be significant difference between the two groups of adult criminals in terms of
1. Impulsivity
2. Aggressiveness and
3. Mental health. For the purpose Hindi Adaptation of 16PF Questionnaire by S.D. Kapoor.
MHCL by Kumar along with PDS were used for the measurement of variables under investigation and to seek the necessary information about the adult criminals. The obtained data were analysed and treated using chi-square. The hypotheses were retained. It was concluded that higher degree of impulsivity, aggresiveness and poor mental health are responsible for bailable and non-bailable criminal offence amongst criminal adults.
Keywords :
Criminal behaviour, personality, mental health, impulsiveness, aggressiveness
