NCJ Number
30720
Journal
Behaviour Research and Therapy Volume: 13 Dated: (1975) Pages: 295-299
Date Published
1975
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE ATTITUDES OF DELINQUENT BOYS IN A COMMUNITY-BASED HOME THAT USES BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PRINCIPLES ARE CONTRASTED OVER TIME WITH A COMPARABLE CONTROL GROUP; THE RESULTS INDICATE SUBSTANTIAL ATTITUDE IMPROVEMENT.
Abstract
A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DEVISED WHICH INCLUDED SCALES OF ACHIEVEMENT ORIENTATION, INTERNAL-EXTERNAL ATTITUDES. MACHIAVELLIANISM, AND SELF-ESTEEM. THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS ADMINISTERED TO EACH BOY AT THE BEGINNING OF HIS STAY IN THE COMMUNITY HOME, AFTER 4 MONTHS, AFTER 9 MONTHS, AND AT THE COMPLETION OF HIS STAY. THE RESULTS WERE COMPARED WITH THOSE OF A CONTROL GROUP OF EIGHTH GRADE BOYS FROM THE SAME COMMUNITY. THE RESULTS SUGGEST THAT THE DELINQUENT BOYS TEND TO IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY IN SELFESTEEM AND FROM EXTERNALITY TO INTERNALITY, ACTUALLY SCORING MORE FAVORABLY IN EACH CASE THAN THE CONTROL GROUP. FINALLY, THE DELINQUENT BOYS ARE SLIGHTLY LESS MACHIAVELLIAN THAN THE CONTROL GROUP AND THIS DID NOT CHANGE ACROSS TIME. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)