IQ/Crime Relationship: An Extension and Replication of Previous Research

• NCJ Number: 205914
• Journal: Journal of Crime & Justice Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: 2004 Pages: 61-86
• Author(s): Lisa M. McCartan; Elaine Gunnison
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between IQ and crime through an analysis of academic competence and residence in a socially disorganized neighborhood.

Abstract

While research into a hypothesized IQ/crime relationship has largely indicated that the relationship is an indirect one, the possible moderating variables to this relationship remain an issue of contention. The current study examined the following variables as possible moderators of the IQ/crime relationship: academic competence, residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods, gender, and race. Data were drawn from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79), which collected information from 2,381 males and females between the ages of 14 and 21 regarding their life experiences. Additional data were obtained from the related National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-Child, which began collecting information on the offspring of female respondents in 1986. Main variables included measures of intelligence, academic competence, residence in a socially disorganized neighborhood, and delinquency. Control variables included maternal intelligence, parental criminality, home environment, economic standing, and demographic variables. Results of statistical analyses revealed different results depending on which cognitive measures were used; IQ significantly predicted academic competence, but IQ did not significantly predict delinquency within the sample. However, academic competence demonstrated a greater predictive power on delinquency than did IQ. These findings suggest that there is an indirect relationship between IQ and delinquency through academic competence. Residing in a socially disorganized neighborhood was significantly predictive of delinquency regardless of IQ or academic competence. Results also indicated that race was predictive of academic competence only for girls and that homes characterized by parental criminality increased the risk of delinquency. Policy implications are discussed in terms of measures to curtail delinquent behavior. Future research should consider the factors composing a disorganized neighborhood at the individual level. Tables, notes, references