Early Recollections of Criminal Justice Majors and Nonmajors

Abstract

To assess whether use of early recollections could be valuable as a tool for the selection of criminal justice interest areas the early recollections of 40 criminal justice majors and noncriminal justice majors were compared. The Manaster-Perryman scoring manual, covering 37 variables in 7 categories, was employed. Total scores on each variable were treated by chi-squared to identify differences. Analysis indicated that criminal justice majors have particular feelings regarding mother, concern for detail, illness and injury themes, new situation themes, work outdoors, travel, and homes of nonfamily members settings. These significant differences may suggest personality variables associated with interest in the criminal justice system. With additional research an instrument may be developed for selection of criminal justice personnel.