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Modern Psychological Studies

Volume

29

Number

1

Department

Dept. of Psychology

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Date

2023

Abstract

The current study sought to explore differences in a previously incarcerated individual’s personality traits based on biological sex. It was posited that within a population of individuals who were formerly incarcerated, males would demonstrate a greater prevalence of personality traits that have been previously associated with involvement in the criminal justice system, compared to females. A total of 2,400 previously incarcerated people from Wave IV of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (ADD Health) were asked questions related to personality traits. Previously incarcerated females had significantly higher levels of impulsivity than females not previously incarcerated, whereas previously incarcerated males had marginally lower levels of impulsivity compared to males not previously incarcerated. Previously incarcerated females exhibited significantly more sympathy than male counterparts. More years incarcerated after age 18 was correlated to impulsivity in females. Altogether, this research suggests that there are traits specifically associated with formerly incarcerated males or females and should be studied to further understand correlates of criminal and redemptive behaviors.

Keyword

incarceration; personality traits; biological sex; impulsivity; sympathy

Discipline

Psychology

Document Type

article

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Included in

Psychology Commons

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