Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

William Fremouw

Abstract

The first purpose of this study was to replicate Walters and Geyer (2004) by examining how white-collar offenders differ from non-white-collar offenders on criminal thinking styles and lifestyle criminality. The second purpose was to examine the psychopathic characteristics of white-collar offenders in comparison to non-white-collar offenders. The third purpose was to explore the psychopathology of white-collar offenders compared to non-white-collar offenders. The study sample included 48 white-collar only offenders (offenders that only committed white-collar crime), 89 white-collar versatile offenders (offenders that have previously committed non-white-collar crime), and 89 non-white-collar offenders. Groups were matched on age and ethnicity. All participants completed the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS), the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R), and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). The Lifestyle Criminality Screening Form (LCSF) was completed using participants' Presentence Investigation Reports (PSIs). Results demonstrated white-collar only offenders had lower scores on the PICTS Sentimentality scale and LCSF. Additionally, white-collar offenders scored higher on PPI-R subscales (i.e., Social Potency and Machiavellian Egocentricity) and PAI scales (i.e., Alcohol Problems and Anxiety-Related Disorders). Non-white-collar offenders had higher scores on the PAI Drug Problems scale. Logistic regression findings demonstrated PAI Drug and Alcohol Problem scales distinguished white-collar versatile and non-white-collar offenders. White-collar only offenders were differentiated from non-white-collar offenders by the PAI Anxiety-Related Disorders scale, PAI Drug Problems scale, PAI Alcohol Problems scale, and PPI-R total score. The logistic regression model was not significant for distinguishing white-collar only and white-collar versatile offenders. Research findings have implications for treatment practices with white-collar offenders.

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