Carl B. Clements

Historical and Personality Correlates to the Violence Patterns of Juveniles Tried as Adults

This study examined the utility of several personality indices for explaining variance in the frequency, variety, and situational correlates of past violence exhibited by imprisoned juveniles after controlling for historical risk factors. One hundred prison inmates ages 16 to 21 who were juveniles at the time of their adjudication completed personality measures assessing overcontrolled hostility and psychopathic traits, and they reported on the number and types of past violence and the situational correlates (e.g., location of violent episodes, victim characteristics, and precipitating events) to their violent behavior. The measure of overcontrolled hostility and the historical risk assessment indices were not significantly associated with the frequency or variety of past violent behavior nor were they significantly associated with the situational correlates to violence. In contrast, a measure of psychopathic traits demonstrated significant incremental validity after controlling for historical data in its association with the frequency, variety, and situational patterns of violent behavior.

A National Survey of Correctional Psychologists

Eight hundred psychologists working in U.S. prison systems were surveyed to provide a comprehensive profile of correctional psychology. The number of prison-based psychologists has doubled in the past 20 years. They are predominantly Caucasian males who work with offenders representing a wide spectrum of security levels and psychological problems. Administrative duties have grown and now occupy about one third of professional time. The authors also report preferred therapy modalities, mental health issues addressed in treatment, use of assessment instruments, and professional issues such as training and predictions of future correctional work. The authors discuss these results highlighting issues of professional identity, concerns about treatment for the severely mentally ill, calls for group-based treatments, and uses of task-specific assessment instruments. The authors also suggest attention be devoted to outcome assessment and to the issues of training and recruiting well-prepared psychologists for the challenging and critical role of correctional psychologist.

Offender Classification Two Decades of Progress

This article reviews the literature of the past 20 years on offender classification. Early developments represented a convergence of professional, legal, and political demands. Recent progress in several areas is noted: risk assessment and correctional supervision, classification based on psychological characteristics, and needs assessment. An integration of trends argues for a systems approach to classification, connecting it more specifically to intervention. Current efforts that warrant further attention are discussed.

The Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders Scale: The Development of a Psychometric Assessment Instrument

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the nature of individual attitudes toward sex offenders. Because the term “sex offender” tends to evoke strong emotions, and given that open-ended self reports tend to be highly subjective, particularly in the context of such pointed terminology, this study sought to develop an attitude assessment tool that addresses specific domains found in the literature. Methods: Through a number of iterations, the Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders Scale was developed. Results: Exploratory and subsequent confirmatory factor analyses found a four-factor, 18-item version to best represent the domains of interest. Factor and item characteristics are reported. Conclusions: Replication and extension to other populations appears warranted.

Gender, Somatization, and Psychopathic Traits in a College Sample

The structure of psychopathic traits and their association with somatization symptoms were investigated in a sample of 199 undergraduate college students enrolled in introductory psychology classes. Using multiple measures of psychopathic traits, an iterated principal axis (IPA) analysis revealed two dimensions of psychopathy that were similar to ones typically found in forensic samples. One dimension focused on a cold, callous, and unemotional interpersonal style and the second dimension focused on an impulsive and antisocial lifestyle. These two dimensions emerged for both men and women, although the correlation between the two was somewhat higher for men than women. Also, the callous and unemotional dimension was negatively correlated with somatization symptoms, and the impulsive and antisocial dimension was positively associated with somatization symptoms. This pattern of associations was similar for both men and women and it suggests that somatization symptoms may be one aspect of the high rate of negative affectivity experienced by antisocial individuals.

A comparison of computer administration with standard administration of the MMPI

Abstract Administration of the MMPI by microcomputer was compared with administration by standard pencil-paper format. One hundred fifty undergraduate students were given the MMPI twice with an average test-retest interval of one week under one of the following conditions: twice by pencil-paper format, twice by computer, or once by each of these modes of administration. Generally, the computer and pencil-paper formats proved comparable in terms of mean scale scores, test-retest correlations, and stability of high-point codes. Availability of a cannot say (“?”) response key on the computer yielded a significantly greater usage of this response but did not adversely affect clinical scores. Computer administration required substantially less time than pencil-paper administration, and subjects showed a preference for the computer format. Relatively poor high-point code stability was found, regardless of format. In general, computerized administration of the MMPI offers several advantages. There remains a need to extend this investigative methodology to clinical populations.

Job satisfaction of correctional psychologists: Implications for recruitment and retention

Do correctional psychologists report levels of job satisfaction consistent with that of psychologists working in other professional areas? Although the number of professionals choosing to work in correctional environmentsis increasing, relatively little has been written about their job-related experiences. This article explored issues pertaining to career satisfaction among 800 correctional psychologists. Overall, these professionals described a moderate level of job satisfaction. Job dimensions such as safety, job security, and relationships with clients were ranked as most satisfying, whereas opportunities for advancement and professional atmosphere were ranked as least satisfying. Psychologists working in federal prisons or less crowded facilities were comparatively more satisfied. Implications for recruiting and retaining psychologists are highlighted.

The measurement of concern about victims: Empathy, victim advocacy and the Victim Concern Scale (VCS)

Purpose. In a series of studies, the authors developed the Victim Concern Scale (VCS) to assess levels of concern for diverse types of crime victims. The goal was to derive a psychometrically sound instrument and to assess victim concern in relation to other crime-related attitudes and victim advocacy endorsements. Methods. Through several scale iterations, participant responses to the VCS were examined. Participants also completed measures of empathy and provided judgments about specific victim/crime scenarios. In addition, in two large samples (college [N ¼ 276] and community [N ¼ 478]), victim concern was compared with other attitudes, attributions and participant demographics. Results. Participants readily distinguished among different victims. Four factors emerged from the VCS. Raters endorsed the highest levels of concern for victims of violent crimes and the lowest level for ‘culpable’ victims. Women and older respondents showed higher levels of concern across all categories of victims. Both victim concern and emotional empathy influenced advocacy responses to victimization. Victim concern was unrelated to such traits and attitudes as authoritarianism, political ideology or punishment goals; moreover, a high level of concern for victims did not preclude endorsement of rehabilitative goals for offenders. Conclusions. The VCS appears to be a valid instrument for assessing levels of concern for victims. It differs meaningfully from measures of general empathy. The VCS could be used to assess differential attitudes across demographic groups or as a measure of change following exposure to educational or other persuasive intervention.

Systemic Issues and Correctional Outcomes Expanding the Scope of Correctional Psychology

Professional work in corrections is beset with issues ranging from conflicting justice-system goals, lack of resources, role confusion, ethical dilemmas, and an atmosphere often hostile to empirical research and program evaluation. The authors describe several systemic issues that impact the work of correctional psychologists and their effectiveness. Recognizing the critical need for evidence-based clinical practice, the authors argue, in addition, that the correctional psychologists mission should be expanded to include macro-level systems issues. These include questions of social responses to crime, unintended consequences of correctional practice, the need for research on institutional policy, and methods for system-wide evaluation of correctional programs and settings. The authors describe the nature and scope of each issue and offer a suggested research agenda.

Effects of Contingent and Noncontingent Token Reinforcement upon Classroom Performance

5 boys attending a therapeutic summer camp were exposed to 1 ½ hr. of programmed instruction in mathematics per day for 28 days. Following an 8-day baseline period during which no tokens were given, the awarding of tokens was made contingent upon classroom productivity. After 10 days of contingent reinforcement, Ss received noncontingent tokens for 3 days after which for 7 days tokens were again contingent upon classroom performance. The token-incentive program was effective in controlling classroom productivity. A standard achievement test indicated concurrent academic gains in arithmetic but no gains (actually, a loss) in a subject (language) in which no instruction was received.