NCJ Number
47144
Date Published
1977
Length
26 pages
Annotation
THE SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPT OF SITUATIONAL CONTROL AND ITS PART IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS ARE EXAMINED, WITH REFERENCE TO SIMULATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF THE PROCESS OF PRISON SOCIALIZATION.
Abstract
A FUNDAMENTAL ASSUMPTION IN THE LEGAL AND PENAL SYSTEMS IS THAT THE CAUSES OF BEHAVIOR RESIDE PRIMARILY WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL. THIS ASSUMPTION IS REFLECTED IN THE FACT THAT PUNISHMENT AND TREATMENT ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, WHILE ENVIRONMENTAL OR SITUATIONAL CONDITIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED. THE MOST VIVID EMBODIMENT OF THIS VIEW IS THE INSTITUTION OF PRISON. SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THE EXTENT TO WHICH SITUATIONS, NOT PERSONALITIES, CONTROL BEHAVIOR. INSTITUTIONAL SOCIALIZATION, WHICH IS A PROTRACTED FORM OF SITUATIONAL CONTROL, OFTEN COOPTS THE INDIVIDUAL'S GOALS AND IDEALS IN THE SERVICE OF SITUATIONAL ENDS. HOWEVER, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TAKES LITTLE FORMAL ACCOUNT OF SITUATIONAL FORCES AS DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIOR. THERE IS A GENERAL TENDENCY TO PRESUME THE RATIONALITY OF INSTITUTIONAL ACTIONS AND TO BLAME PERSONS FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ACTIONS. THIS TENDENCY, CLEARLY EVIDENT IN PENOLOGY, OBFUSCATES THE CAUSES OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND PREVENTS SOCIAL CHANGE PROGRAMS FROM BEING INSTITUTED AT THE APPROPRIATE STRUCTURAL LEVEL. EXAMINATION OF THE PROCESS OF INSTITUTIONAL SOCIALIZATION IN PRISON SUGGESTS THAT THE PROCESS DIFFERS ONLY IN DEGREE, NOT IN KIND, FROM THAT EXPERIENCED BY SOCIETY'S 'AT LARGE' PRISONERS AND GUARDS. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN FACILITATING FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN IMPERSONAL, DEHUMANIZING INSTITUTIONS. PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF THEIR OWN SOCIAL CONTROL BEFORE THEY CAN CREATE SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT PROMOTE JUSTICE, CARING, AND FREEDOM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)