PERSONALITY, INTEGRITY, AND WHITE-COLLAR CRIME - A CONSTRUCT-VALIDITYSTUDY

This study examined the construct validity of personality scales, a pe rsonality-based integrity test, and homogenous biodata scales as refle cted in their ability to discriminate white collar criminals from othe r white collar employees. The sample included 365 prison inmates incar cerated in 23 federal correctional institutions for white collar offen ses, and 344 individuals employed in upper-level positions of authorit y. A cross-validated linear discriminant function (DF) based on 16 var iables selected in the developmental sample produced a large differenc e (1.83 standard deviation units) between the two sample groups. The p attern of score differences revealed the offenders as having greater t endencies toward irresponsibility, lack of dependability, and disregar d of rules and social norms. This study indicates that there are large and measurable psychological differences between white collar offende rs and non-offenders, and that the major construct underlying these di fferences is ''social conscientiousness.'' The best measure of this di fference was a personality-based integrity test.