DELINQUENCY RESEARCH AND THE SELF-CONCEPT VARIABLE (FROM JUVENILE DELINQUENCY - A BOOK OF READINGS. 3D ED., 1976, BY R GIALLOMBARDO - SEE NCJ-38675)

• NCJ Number: 38676
• Author(s): S S TANGRI
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: John Wiley and Sons
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A CRITIQUE OF THE METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS OF STUDIES WHICH UTILIZE RECKLESS' THEORY THAT A CRUCIAL VARIABLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OR NON-DEVELOPMENT OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR IS THE SELF-CONCEPT OF THE YOUTH.

Abstract

THE AUTHORS FIRST NOTE THAT A SERIOUS DEFICIENCY IN THE EXAMINATION OF DELINQUENCY CAUSATION IS THAT MANY STUDIES HAVE CONSIDERED ONLY A LIMITED RANGE OR SINGLE TYPE OF VARIABLE, IGNORING SUCH POTENTIAL CAUSATIVE FACTORS AS PERSONALITY OR SELF-CONCEPT. HOWEVER, SOME SOCIOLOGISTS HAVE INVESTIGATED PERSONALITY OR SELF VARIABLES, KEEPING CONSTANT THE SOCIAL STRUCTURAL VARIABLES. MOST IMPORTANT AMONG THESE STUDIES ARE THE ONES CONDUCTED BY RECKLESS AND HIS ASSOCIATES. IN THESE STUDIES, SELF-CONCEPT IS VIEWED AS A VARIABLE WHICH SEEMS EFFECTIVE IN INSULATING BOYS AGAINST DELINQUENCY OR IN MAKING THEM MORE VULNERABLE. THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THESE RESEARCHES, THEIR DESIGNS, AND THE FINDINGS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHAT SOCIOLOGISTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT DELINQUENCY AND PERSONALITY, AS WELL AS TO DETERMINE WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE IN THAT AREA. AFTER A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY OF EACH STUDY, A CRITIQUE OF EACH STUDY IS PRESENTED. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT MORE ADEQUATE MEASURES OF SELF CONCEPT ARE NECESSARY.