SELF-CONCEPT OF DELINQUENTS IN A BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TREATMENT PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 36250
• Journal: Journal of Social Psychology Volume: 99 Dated: (AUGUST 1976) Pages: 203-206
• Author(s): D S EITZEN
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Journal Press
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS STUDY ASSESSES WHETHER DELINQUENT BOYS IN A BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TREATMENT HOME DEVELOPED MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDES ABOUT THEMSELVES AND HOW THESE FEELINGS COMPARED WITH THOSE OF A CONTROL GROUP.

Abstract

BOYS ADJUDICATED FOR DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR WERE ADMINISTERED A QUESTIONNAIRE WITH A SEMANTIC DIFFERENTIAL MEASURE OF SELF-CONCEPT SEVERAL TIMES DURING THEIR STAY. A CONTROL GROUP WAS GIVEN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE ONCE. AS A GROUP, THE BOYS AT ADMISSION HAD MUCH MORE NEGATIVE FEELINGS ABOUT THEMSELVES THAN DID THE BOYS IN THE CONTROL GROUP. HOWEVER, WHEN THE MEAN OF THE PRETEST GROUP WAS COMPARED WITH THE MEAN OF THE POSTTEST GROUP (WHICH WAS MORE POSITIVE IN SELF-CONCEPT THAN THE CONTROL GROUP), THE DELINQUENT BOYS WERE FOUND TO HAVE A MUCH MORE POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT AT THE COMPLETION OF THEIR STAY. THIS SHIFT IN SELF-EVALUATION WAS SAID TO BE CONCOMITANT WITH A SHIFT IN HOW THE BOYS PERCEIVED THAT SIGNIFICANT OTHERS (MOTHER, FRIENDS, AND TEACHERS) EVALUATED THEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)