INFLUENCE OF LOCUS OF CONTROL AND FAMILY BACKGROUND ON CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

This research work focuses on finding out the influence of locus of controland family background on criminal behaviours. The study was conducted among 90 prison inmates in Keffi medium security prison by administering the Terry Pettijohn’s (1992) locus of control scale, the psychopathic deviate scale of Mckenlyand Hathaway (1967) and the family background questionnaire. The following hypotheses were tested: There is a significant influence of locus of control on criminal behaviour among Keffi prison inmates. Family background has a significant influence on criminality among Keffi prison inmates. The study found a significant influence of locus of control on criminal behaviour at 0.05based on chi-square X2=24.31(4). In addition, those who exhibited criminal behaviour, and scored high on the PD scale were externals. Family background was found to be another factor that impacted on criminal behaviour, as most of the inmates who scored high on the PD scale were from polygamous family background). In conclusion, the research findings show that both locus of control and family background are important factors that influence criminal behaviour having seen that family types, parenting style and other  environmental factors in one way or the other exert a directional influence on behaviour and personality development.