NCJ Number
30214
Journal
Social Problems Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (1974) Pages: 370-384
Date Published
1974
Length
15 pages
Annotation
GROUPS OF INSTITUTIONALIZED DELINQUENTS, URBAN MALES AND FEMALES, AND RURAL MALES AND FEMALES WERE ASKED TO REPORT ON THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN A VARIETY OF ILLEGAL ACTS.
Abstract
IN ADDITION, THESE RESPONDENTS WERE ASKED WHETHER THEY STRONGLY APPROVED THROUGH STRONGLY DISAPPROVED OF EACH ACT AND WHETHER THEY BELIEVED THAT THEIR BEST FRIEND STRONGLY APPROVED THROUGH STRONGLY DISAPPROVED OF EACH ACT. CONTRARY TO MATZA'S (1964) HYPOTHESES: 1) THOSE WHO REPORT INVOLVEMENT IN ILLEGAL BEHAVIORS ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO VIEW THEIR FRIENDS AS EQUALLY APPROVING, OR LESS APPROVING OF THE ACTS THAN THEMSELVES; 2) THIS FINDING REMAINS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED WHEN THOSE UNDER 17 ARE COMPARED WITH THOSE 17 AND OLDER; 3) THOSE WHO REPORT ENGAGING IN A GIVEN ILLEGAL ACT ARE CONSISTENTLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY LESS DISAPPROVING OF THAT ACT THAN THOSE WHO REPORT NOT ENGAGING IN THE ACT. THE ASYMMETRY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISAPPROVAL/LACK OF DISAPPROVAL AND INVOLVEMENT/NON-INVOLVEMENT IS NOTED AND BRIEFLY DISCUSSED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)