Comparative Study of Embarrassability and Emotional Intelligence among Recidivist and Non-Recidivist

Abstract

Criminality is one of the problematic threats to human existence and is hydra-headed and spreads across different social groups. Hence, this study that comparatively studied Embarassability and Emotional Intelligence on Recidivists and non-Recidivist inmates in Anambra State Nigeria. That involved 240 inmates; 120 recidivist and 120 non-recidivist from two different prisons. Stratified random sampling technique (hand draw) was utilized in the selection of the participants. Among the 240 participants, 200 were male while 40 were female. Their age ranged from 18 to 60 years with mean age of 31.21 and standard deviation of 9.73. Two instruments, namely: Susceptibility to Embarrassment Scale (SES) and Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) were used for data collection. Ex-post facto research design was used for the study while independent t-test was applied as statistical tool to analysis the data in line with the test hypotheses. The first hypothesis of the study was confirmed at (t(238) = 2.18, p<.05); indicting that recidivist showed significant lower embarrassability compared to non-recidivist. The second hypothesis was also confirmed at (t(238) = 7.99, p<.05); indicating that non-recidivists are more emotionally intelligent than  recidivists. From the research findings, it was recommended among many others that there is need to develop psychological intervention that can improve the emotional intelligence of inmates; thus, the need for psychological services in Nigerian prisons.