Comparison of personality profile of prison criminals in the Yasooj Central Penitentiary and noncriminals based on 16 personality factors

Aims: The study was conducted to examine the personality profile of prisoners in the Yasooj Central Penitentiary (YCP) according to Cattell's 16 Personality Factors (PFs) Model.

Settings and design: In doing so, 50 prisoners were selected from among all 20-35-year-old male prisoners at YCP. Moreover, 50 people were selected from the nonprison community to match with the prisoner group.

Subjects and methods: In a causal-comparative study, both groups were matched and were evaluated using two questionnaires: demographic information and Cattell's 16-PF questionnaires.

Statistical analysis used: The statistical method used to predict the distinguishing personality traits of the two groups, prisoners and nonprisoners, was discriminant analysis.

Results: The results indicated that from among Cattell's 16 factors, only 7 factors in the two groups were discriminant and predicting crime: Conservative, sober, expedient, self-control, imaginative, reserved, and tough mindedness.

Conclusions: According to the results, 16 main factors of personality have the ability to predict crime.