Use of the human figure drawing as an evaluative measure with sex offenders.

Abstract

The Draw-A-Person test has been used with many samples or groups. This study employed subjects from a less researched area, the criminal population. The research focused on two specific characteristics that earlier research has found to be associated with sex offenders, closed legs and a closed mouth. A total of 90 male subjects were used in this study. Three groups of 30 males were tested: sex offenders, non-sex offending criminals, and non-criminals. Some of the information was gathered in assessments given by the El Dorado Correctional Facility, El Dorado, KS. The remainder of the information was collected with the efforts of the Draw-A-Person class from Emporia State University. The class administered DAP's to subjects who were age equivalent to the sex offender group. Three judges then assessed whether the drawing had closed legs and a closed mouth. The chi square test was conducted to examine the frequencies of the evaluative characteristics in each group. No significance was found in the frequency of closed mouths and closed legs across the three groups. The results reflect a small sample size without diversity. More population samples need to be chosen to fully assess the symbolism of drawings with closed legs and a closed mouth. Earlier research identifies sex offenders with closed legs and a closed mouth; however, this study's results were found to be inconclusive.