NCJ Number
171062
Journal
Behavior Therapy Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1996) Pages: 373-390
Date Published
1996
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Conversations of 186 adolescent boys aged 13 and 14 years and their friends were videotaped and analyzed to understand processes of influence associated with antisocial behavior.
Abstract
The sample was obtained from the Oregon Youth Study. Videotaped discussions were coded with a system that captured general topics (normative versus rule breaking), as well as reactions of listeners (laugh versus pause). Matching law analyses confirmed a linear relationship between the dyadic rate of rule breaking talk and contingent positive reactions. Sequential analyses revealed a statistically reliable reciprocal pattern between rule breaking talk and laugh in delinquent (both boys arrested) dyads. In mixed (one arrested) and nondelinquent (neither arrested) dyads, reciprocation occurred between normative talk and laugh. Longitudinal analyses of behavior over the ensuing 2 years showed the deviance training sequence predicted increases in self-reported delinquent behavior, even after controlling for prior levels of delinquency. Findings suggest discussions of deviance play a critical role in organizing positive affective exchanges, thereby establishing problem behavior as a common ground activity that potentially exacerbates adolescent social maladjustment. Findings are discussed with respect to developmental theory and intervention science. 55 references, 2 tables, and 2 figures