NCJ Number
57537
Journal
COMMUNITY HEALTH Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (AUGUST 1977) Pages: 20-28
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THREE CASE STUDIES ARE PRESENTED AS EVIDENCE FOR THE ARGUMENT THAT JUVENILE DELINQENCY CAN BE RECOGNIZED EARLY THROUGH PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION AND DIAGNOSIS OF A SOLIPSISTIC CHARACTER.
Abstract
THREE BOYS, AGES 7, 11, AND 13, ACCUSED OF LYING, STEALING, AND RUNNING AWAY, WERE EVALUATED PSYCHIATRICLY THROUGH INDEPTH QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIODS. FINDINGS SHOWED THEIR RESPONSES TO BE A COMPLETELY SELF-CENTERED SOLIPSISM ALMOST ENTIRELY DIVORCED FROM THE SOCIAL-PERSONAL WORLD AROUND THEM, REVEALING WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS AN IMPERVIOUS CHARACTER, OR AN IMPERSONAL REACTION TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS. IF IT IS ASSUMED THAT DELINQUENCY IS DEFINED AS A SOCIAL-MORAL CONCEPT, THAT THE FOUNDATIONS OF A SOUND MORALITY ARE BUILT ON POSITIVE FEELINGS FOR OTHERS, AND THAT THESE BOYS DEMONSTRATED AN ABSENCE OF APPROPRIATE FEELINGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE, IT IS TO BE CONCLUDED THAT THEY COULD BE DIAGNOSED AS JUVENILE DELINQUENTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SUCH CLINICAL STUDIES AND DIAGNOSES BE MADE BEFORE IMPLEMENTING STATISTICAL ANALYSES OF DATA. INDIVIDUAL CASE STUDIES FOR THE THREE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS ARE DISCUSSED IN FULL. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (MHP)