NCJ Number
72077
Date Published
1976
Length
61 pages
Annotation
Differences are explored among a sample of 40 young female offenders with two samples of nonoffender females of comparable race and age with respect to vocational self concept, response style, and anxiety.
Abstract
Offenders were designated G1, one sample of group of nonoffenders was designated G2, and the third nonoffender group which possessed higher Intelligence Quotients (IQs) and socioeconomic levels was termed G3. Each participant was administered the Vocational Preference Inventory, the list of school subjects, the Vocational Anxiety Scale, the Otis Quick-Scoring Mental Ability Test, and a personal data form. These instruments provided a measure of each subject's IQ, vocational self concept, acquiescent response to occupational titles and to school subjects, and vocational anxiety. Data were treated by analysis of covariance, with the IQ serving as the concomitant variable. Analysis indicated that only one of these variables, acquiescent response style to occupational titles, differentiated among the three groups. The female offender group had the highest accquiescent response style with respect to occupations. One possible explanation for this unexpected finding might lie in offenders' tendency to have undefined occupational preferences. Overall, the offenders evaluated tend to possess below average IQs compared with the general population of females comprising this age group. In addition, they often come from parents engaged in below average vocations with respect to socioeconomic level. The low IQ seems to be positively related to low vocational self-concept. Young offenders' family status seems to have considerable effect on their own expressed occupational preferences. With regard to delinquency prevention, study findings suggest that career development services should be made available in school. Replication of the study with young males or different age groups is suggested. Tables, study instruments, and 36 references are included.