Examining Locus of Control as it Relates to Recidivism
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
15-5-2019
End Date
15-5-2019
Abstract
Recidivism is a persistent problem and consideration in the American criminal justice system. Investigating the antecedents and influences to this criminal re-offense and repeat incarceration problem is not only necessary for improving public safety, but also for improving the lives and futures of incarcerated persons. To investigate possible antecedents, we worked with four Washington State county jails to administer exploratory surveys to currently incarcerated inmates. The surveys examined whether there was any connection between the number of times a person has been involved with the law (arrests, incarceration, other sentencing, etc.) and the externalization of locus of control. This latter factor is defined as an individual’s belief they have little or no control over the events in their life. We investigated external locus of control with specific respect to involvement with the law, the prospect of future incarceration, and feelings concerning the overall cause of original and/or sustained legal involvement. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between involvement with the law and external locus of control. An analysis of inmate surveys using parametric and non-parametric statistical methods tested this hypothesis, revealing important information concerning legal involvement frequency and external locus of control. The implications of this information for offender cognition, rehabilitation prospects, and future criminal justice system directions will be discussed.
Recommended Citation
Lightning, Anistasha, "Examining Locus of Control as it Relates to Recidivism" (2019). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 15.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/15
Department/Program
Psychology
Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation Lightning
Additional Files
Tasha Lightning_Psyc_SOURCE Presentation.pptx (416 kB)Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation Lightning
Examining Locus of Control as it Relates to Recidivism
Ellensburg
Recidivism is a persistent problem and consideration in the American criminal justice system. Investigating the antecedents and influences to this criminal re-offense and repeat incarceration problem is not only necessary for improving public safety, but also for improving the lives and futures of incarcerated persons. To investigate possible antecedents, we worked with four Washington State county jails to administer exploratory surveys to currently incarcerated inmates. The surveys examined whether there was any connection between the number of times a person has been involved with the law (arrests, incarceration, other sentencing, etc.) and the externalization of locus of control. This latter factor is defined as an individual’s belief they have little or no control over the events in their life. We investigated external locus of control with specific respect to involvement with the law, the prospect of future incarceration, and feelings concerning the overall cause of original and/or sustained legal involvement. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between involvement with the law and external locus of control. An analysis of inmate surveys using parametric and non-parametric statistical methods tested this hypothesis, revealing important information concerning legal involvement frequency and external locus of control. The implications of this information for offender cognition, rehabilitation prospects, and future criminal justice system directions will be discussed.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/15
Faculty Mentor(s)
Danielle Polage