Thesis Title: Social Oppression, Depression and Criminal Thinking in Female Offenders
Student Name: Mishal Shahid
Supervisor: Zaeema Farooq
Degree: BS
Year: 2014-2018
Department: Institute of Applied Psychology
University: Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
Corresponding Address: Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. Email: chairperson@appsy.pu.edu.pk, Phone: 92-42-9231245
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate social oppression, depression and criminal thinking in female offenders. It was hypothesized that there would be relationship between social oppression, depression and criminal thinking. It was also hypothesized that social oppression (discrimination, injustice, humiliation, control, abuse) and depression would predict criminal thinking (entitlement, justification, power orientation, cold heartedness, criminal rationalization, and personal irresponsibility) in female offenders. Correlational research design was used and the sample of female offenders (N = 100) from Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat Lahore was selected with age ranges 18 to 65 years. Oppression Questionnaire (Victoroff, 2005), Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression (Radloff, 1977) and Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles Scale (Walters, 1998.) were used. Results showed that depression showed a positive relationship with justification and had a negative relationship with cold heartedness. Entitlement showed a positive relationship with justification and had a negative relationship with power orientation. Moreover, discrimination was a positive predictor of criminal rationalization. Depression was positive predictor of justification, criminal rationalization and personal irresponsibility. This study is used in clinical and forensic settings to highlight the contribution of psychopathology towards criminal acts or thoughts.
Keywords: Social oppression, depression, criminal thinking.
