MORAL JUDGMENT, CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND PERSONALITY IN ADULT OFFENDERS
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship of moral judgment stages and personality variablesin a group of incarcerated male offenders. On the basis of their scores on Rest's Defining Issues Test, an objective measure of Kohlberg's moral development theory, a total of 159 inmates comprised five moral judgment groups. Dependent measure included Levenson's multidimensional locus-of-control scale and the Psychological Screening Inventory. Results indicated differences among the groups in Internality and Chance as well as Alienation and Expression. In addition, the moral judgment level of inmates was found to be exceedingly underdeveloped. Implications of the utility of basing treatment interventions of law violators on moral judgment theory are discussed.
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References
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