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ASSESSMENT OF THE SOCIAL CLIMATES OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

NCJ Number
6126
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1968) Pages: 174-188
Author(s)
R H MOOS
Date Published
1968
Length
15 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIAL CLIMATE SCALE (SCS) WHICH DIFFERENTIATES BETWEEN THE SOCIAL CLIMATES OF CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Abstract
THE SCS WAS DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED TO RESIDENTS AND STAFFS IN SIXTEEN CORRECTIONAL UNITS, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOLS, JUVENILE HALLS, AND BOYS' CAMPS. THIS SCALE INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING 12 SUBSCALES, WHICH MEASURED THE EMPHASIS ON ONE DIMENSION OF INSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE - SPONTANEITY, SUPPORT, PRACTICALITY, AFFILIATION, ORDER, INSIGHT, INVOLVEMENT, AGGRESSION, VARIETY, CLARITY, SUBMISSION, AND AUTONOMY. PROFILES THAT COMPARED THE AVERAGE RESIDENT PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFERENT UNITS WERE CONSTRUCTED. THE RESULTS SHOWED LARGE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS' PERCEPTIONS. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS WERE NOT CORRELATED WITH RESIDENT BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS OF AGE, LENGTH OF STAY ON THE UNIT, OR SOCIAL DESIRABILITY SCORE.