U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Two Offender Typologies - A Psychological and Sociological Approach Compared

NCJ Number
82887
Author(s)
B L Patterson
Date Published
1982
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses offender typologies in terms of their definitions, purpose, and categories.
Abstract
Three sets of criteria for assessing offender typologies are compared and criteria are selected in order to examine various typologies. Warren's I-Level Typology and Gibbon's Role-Career Typology are reviewed, with an emphasis on their theoretical frame of reference and empirical research attempts to test these typologies. Finally, a comparison of the two typologies is made and the conclusion reached that the ideal classification system should match offender types with available treatment programs. It should identify those most suited for community programs and those in need of 24-hour surveillance. The paper observes that a generally acceptable offender typology has not yet been developed. A table, 17 notes, and about 60 references are included. (Author abstract modified)

Downloads

No download available