"If you show a bit of violence they learn real quick": Measuring entitlement in violent offenders

Fisher, S. and Hall, G. (2011) "If you show a bit of violence they learn real quick": Measuring entitlement in violent offenders. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 18 (4). pp. 588-598.

Abstract

The theoretical notion of an inflated sense of entitlement has recently been proposed as a criminogenic need. Criminogenic needs are those factors which are directly related to criminal behaviour and recidivism. The three determinants that are required for a characteristic to qualify as a criminogenic need are that it can distinguish criminal behaviour, is able to be measured, and has the ability to generate pro-social change. The Sense of Entitlement Questionnaire (SOEQ) was designed in the absence of an appropriate instrument to measure this construct within the offending population. The SOEQ was administered to non-offenders, non-violent offenders and violent offenders. The results indicated that violent offenders have a more inflated sense of entitlement than non-offenders and non-violent offenders that, when violated, is more likely to result in violent behaviour. Future studies may now focus on whether an inflated sense of entitlement has the capacity to be changed.