POLICE EVALUATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF THEMSELVES, THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND SELECTED OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS

• NCJ Number: 35492
• Journal: Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1976) Pages: 17-27
• Author(s): D H CHANG; C H ZASTROW
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: Pergamon Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

REPORT ON A STUDY WHICH EXAMINES, WITH A SEMANTIC DIFFERENTIAL SCALE ADMINISTERED TO 492 STATE AND CITY POLICE, ASPECTS RELATED TO THE EFFECTS OF INCREASED STRAINS AND ROLE CONFUSIONS ON POLICE.

Abstract

ATTITUDE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE ADMINISTERED TO POLICE OFFICERS EMPLOYED IN RURAL, URBAN, AND SUBURBAN SETTINGS IN TWO MIDWESTERN STATES. THE FINDINGS INDICATED THAT THE RESPONDENTS EVALUATE THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROFESSION HIGHLY IMPLYING THEY HAVE A POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT AND ARE FAVORABLY DISPOSED TO THEIR CAREER. THE FOUR MOST NEGATIVELY EVALUATED GROUPS WERE LAWYERS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, POLITICIANS, AND PRISON INMATES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOW EVALUATION OF LAWYERS MAY BE DUE TO THE RESPONDENTS' VIEW THAT ATTORNEYS FRUSTRATE AND COMPLICATE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)