CONTRIBUTION OF PROBATION SUPERVISION TOWARD THE MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN ATTITUDES TOWARD AUTHORITY FIGURES

• NCJ Number: 49343
• Author(s): A FROEHLICH
• Date Published: 1957
• Length: 173 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

THE EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE PROBATION SUPERVISION ON ATTITUDES TOWARD AUTHORITY FIGURES AND ON SOCIAL CONFORMITY ARE EXPLORED IN A STUDY OF 29 MALE PROBATIONERS, AGED 16 TO 30, IN BROOKLYN, N.Y.

Abstract

THE SUBJECTS, WHO INCLUDED 15 WHITES AND 14 BLACKS, WERE ASSIGNED TO EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUPS. EXPERIMENTAL SUBJECTS RECEIVED 6 MONTHS OF INTENSIVE SUPERVISION, INCLUDING WEEKLY AND/OR BIWEEKLY 30-MINUTE INTERVIEWS. PROBATION WORKERS MADE AN ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A PERMISSIVE, THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP AND TO AVOID THE USE OF AUTHORITY. CONTROL SUBJECTS RECEIVED 6 MONTHS OF MINIMAL SUPERVISION, CONSISTING OF MONTHLY 5-MINUTE INTERVIEWS. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COUNSELING RELATIONSHIP WAS AVOIDED. ATTITUDES OF AGGRESSION, INDEPENDENCE, AND DEPENDENCE TOWARD AUTHORITY FIGURES AND OF SOCIAL CONFORMITY WERE MEASURED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE TREATMENT AND AFTER 3 MONTHS AND 6 MONTHS OF TREATMENT. EXPERIMENTAL SUBJECTS SHOWED SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD AUTHORITY FIGURES AND IN THEIR SOCIAL CONFORMITY THAN DID CONTROL SUBJECTS. IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS ARE DISCUSSED. SUPPORTING DATA, COPIES OF STUDY INSTRUMENTS, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)