Comparative Study on Certain Personality Characteristics and Attitudes Toward Corrections Between Convicts of Homicide and Non-Criminal Groups in Hawassa
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to compare certain personality
characteristics and attitudes toward corrections of convicts of homicide and
non-criminals in Hawassa_ And the research questions were the following_ 1_ Is
there sta tistica lly s ignificant difference in p ersonality characteristics between
convicts of homicide a nd non criminals? 2 _ Is t here statis tically significant
d ifference in attitudes t oward corrections between convicts of homicide and non
criminals?
60 homicides were randomly selected from Hawassa correction center_ And 60
non-criminals were purpos ive ly selected at the same town_ Two typ es of
questionnaires (the Big Five personality questionnaire and attitude
questionna ire) were used to gather information_
Analysis of the data was made using quantitative methods_ In order to
determine each group's personality characteristic and attitude towards
corrections, the observed sample mean was compared with expected mean or
average mean_ Independent t-test was also run to determine their difference_
The results of the study revealed that, the majority of convicts of homicide and
non criminals were extroverts and there was no significant difference in
extraversion between these g roups_ Howe ve r, the maj ority of non-criminals were
agreeable while most convicts of homicides were not agreeable and there was
statistically significant difference. Consequently, both groups were open to
experience and there was no significant difference in openness between these
groups. The majority of convicts of homicide were not emotionally sable where
as the majority of non-criminals were emotionally stable and statistically
significant difference was found between the two groups. Even though the
majority of convicts of homicide and non-criminals were conscientious, there
was significant difference in conscientiousness between these two groups.
The results of the study also revealed that, though the majority of convicts of
homicide and non-criminals had positive attitude toward corrections there was
significant difference in attitudes between the groups. In accordance with the
findings and conclusions, recommendations were forwarded.
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Keywords
Attitudes Toward Corrections Between Convicts