Values, Self-Identification and Personality Motivation of Persons Charged with Particularly Serious Crimes

Abstract

The article presents the results of examination of personality specifics in the individuals charged with particularly serious crimes. The sample consisted of 59 men aged 18-60, the average age was 33.7 years. At the same time, 54 men with socially normative behavior and with no criminal record served as a comparison group. We used the following: "Value Spectrum" technique by D.A. Leontyev, "Who am I?" test by M.Kuhn & T. McPartland (adapted by T.V.Rumyantseva), Motivational Induction method by Joseph R. Nuttin. It has been established that in persons who were under investigation on charges of particularly serious crimes the personality values have been appropriated at the nominal level and don't serve as effective control of their behavior or activities. This category of persons are distinguished by the following: a narrowed down time perspective of one year, problem and nonadaptive self-identity, less prominent (as compared to the norm group) moral and educational needs and the need for creativity. Persons charged with particularly serious crimes have psychological self-protection and autonomy as their prevalent motivations. The results of the research can be used by experts in their investigative actions with regard to persons under discussion both at the stage of pre-trial investigation and during judicial proceedings, as well as be taken into account at forensic psychological examinations.

Keywords

• criminal aggression
• particularly serious crimes
• values
• self-identification
• personality motivation
• time perspective