NCJ Number
142475
Date Published
1972
Length
43 pages
Annotation
Goals of this study were to explore the validity of the theory distinguishing between overcontrolled and undercontrolled personality types and to examine descriptive characteristics of these types.
Abstract
Two groups of youthful offenders incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Tallahassee, Florida, were chosen to meet criteria for each of the following: chronically overcontrolled hostile type, and undercontrolled aggressive type. The final sample consisted of 20 subjects in each group, with a racial balance the same as that for the FCI population (35 percent black). Dependent measures included 10 rationally constructed scales from a rated structured interview administered by staff psychologists. Five scales measured descriptive characteristics (conservative attitudes, achievement orientation, aggressiveness, authority conflict, and poor socialization), while the other five scales measured developmental variables (family cohesiveness, nurturance, adequacy of discipline, mother as role model, and father as role model). It was hypothesized that overcontrolled subjects would score higher on all scales except aggressiveness, authority conflict, and poor socialization. In addition, it was predicted that overcontrolled subjects would have more favorable attitudes toward their mothers. Study results were in the predicted direction for 9 of the 10 interview scales. Only the mother as role model scale failed to reach significance. While all subjects favored mothers over fathers, there were no differences between the overcontrolled and undercontrolled groups. The findings support Megargee's theory distinguishing between overcontrolled and undercontrolled personality types and expand empirical descriptions of these types. Developmental factors affecting overcontrolled individuals are discussed. 103 references and 6 tables