Level of Impulse, Ego and Super Ego among Criminals and Noncriminals

Crime is inevitable in any human society since some violation or the other of any code of conduct prescribed for the members of a society is bound to occur. Not only is crime evitable but also, paradoxical as it may sound, some sociologists have gone the extent of saying that crime, to some extent helps in promoting social solidarity among people constituting the society. Main objectives of the present research work are to assess the level of impulse, ego and superego among criminals and non-criminals. The measuring instrument is based on a psychoanalytic theory by Dombrose and Morton S. Slobien (1958). It consists of 4 subtests. The incidental purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of the sample for the present study. In the present study, a sample of 100 male persons was taken – 50 criminals and 50 non-criminals. The age range of the subjects was 20-25 years. Results of the present study show that the impulses are higher among criminals on almost all the sub tests. On contrary, Ego and Superego scores are higher for non-criminals groups. It can be said that criminals have strong impulse regarding immediate gratification and while in process of achievements of their goals.