Understanding Crime Through Personality: A Pilot Application Of MCMIIII In An Indian Central Jail

Abstract

Objectives:Psychological assessment has found its niche within the various sub - speciality fields of Psychology - with one such field being the specialized field of Forensic and Correctional Psychology. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI) has been found to be well suited for use as an assessment tool in multiple setting; including clinical and correctional settings. The current research has undertaken as pilot study to understand the MCMI - III’s applicability within the Indian Cultural and Correctional context; as there has been seen a dearth of empirical evidence of the utility of MCMI within this specific context.

Methods:Using a purposive sampling technique, the authors collected a total sample of  N = 46 convicted inmates from a Central Jail in India. This sample was divided in two sets of inmates; inmates convicted of murder, MCT (n=22) and inmates convicted of rape, RCT (n = 24). The MCMI - III was administered on the sample and the scores statistically analyzed using non - descriptive statistics. The scores were then compared across the sub - scales of MCMI - III; i.e. the 11 Clinical Personality scales, 3 scales of Severe Personality Disorders, the Basic Clinical Syndrome scales and the Severe Clinical Syndrome scales to understand the effect of the offense committed on the disruptive personality patterns of the inmates.

Results:Results showed that the two inmate groups (rape and murder) only differed in two sub - scales of MCMI - III; while not showing significant differences in other scales; the Histrionic and the Compulsive scale. Further analysis using rank bi-serial correlation also showed that within the these two scales; compulsive scale showed significantly higher effect size for inmates convicted of rape.

Conclusion:The current research conducted as a pilot study to understand how understanding disruptive personality patterns could relate to the particular crime that the inmate has been imprisoned for. The authors use this study as a foundation to put forth a theoretical basis for rehabilitation practices within the correctional psychology and discuss how MCMI - III as an assessment tool could be used to formulate a plan for reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.