DefinePK

Abstract

The present study was designed to explore the contribution of various factors in personality development of criminals in North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan. A sample of 100 male subjects, 50 criminals and 50 non-criminals was taken from low socioeconomic group, of ages 18 to 60 years having the same other demographic characteristics. Two self-report questionnaires. the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaires (PARQ: Haque, 1981; Riaz, 1993) and Personality Assessment Questionnaires, (PAQ: Riaz, 1993, 1994) were administered to show that, parental illiteracy, neglect of children, low socioeconomic status, conflicts between parents and children, and bad influence of mass media may lead to criminal behaviour. Criminals scored high on aggression, hostility, neglect, indifference, and rejection on the PARQ, whereas, non­ criminals scored high on warmth and affiliation, indicating significant differences among criminals and non-criminals. The results on the PAQ demonstrate that criminals are more hostile, dependent, have negative self-esteem, negative self-adequacy, emotionally unresponsive and unstable, and have negative world view. The non-criminals enjoy good, warm, and happy relation with other people and have a high concern for social approval.