Traits of Personality and Preferred Values among Fearless and Courageous Policemen

The present study aimed to identify differences in the personality factors and preferred values of courageous and fearless police officers. A sample group comprising 43 courageous (Mage=33.7yr., SD=4.8) and 43 fearless policemen (Mage=31.2yr., SD=4.8) was identified from among 157 potential subjects. The group completed a questionnaire designed for the purposes of the study and entitled Anxiety Scale for Policemen, as well as the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) and Schwartz’s Value Survey. The fearless policemen scored significantly higher on Sensation Seeking and markedly lower on Aggression/Hostility, Neuroticism and Impulsivity than the courageous group. The former were also characterized with significantly lower results than the latter for values scales such as Tradition and Power. There were no differences for other values scales. The conclusions indicate that policemen are not a homogenous group.