Development of a Background and Opinion Questionnaire for Predicting Military Delinquency

摘要

This report describes the development of the Background and Opinion Questionnaire, BOQ-1, PT 4647, an instrument prepared for validation as a predictor of the disciplinary records of enlisted men. The instrument would be used as a preliminary screen for Category IV men; individuals scoring above a certain cutting score would be referred for an interview by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Selection for or rejection from the service would be based on the interview. The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Manpower) suggested that the Personal Opinion Study, an instrument developed at the University of Illinois, be evaluated for the purpose. The instrument has several potential liabilities. As a more direct approach to the operational problem, an instrument developed in BESRL was also investigated. This was the Personal History Form OA-1, PT 3556, an instrument prepared under the Retention Standards Task for use in indentifying men likely to become military disciplinary problems. The original form had been designed to be used after the enlisted men had had some exposure to Army life. It was therefore necessary to drop items which depend on Army experience.