NCJ Number
109622
Journal
Journal of Genetic Psychology Volume: 148 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1987) Pages: 385-392
Date Published
1987
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study determined the combined effects of psychopathy, low intellectual functioning, and love deprivation on violent delinquency.
Abstract
The sample consisted of all male juvenile delinquents (256) referred for psychological testing in Toledo, Ohio, and Boise, Idaho, during 1980-1984. All data were taken from files that had been closed because the subjects had reached adulthood, thus ensuring a complete delinquent history and a constancy of age for all subjects. The measure of psychopathy was the Wechsler P-V test, and intellectual functioning was determined by the WISC/WAIS verbal IQ distribution. The measure of love deprivation was the Walsh/Petee Love Deprivation Index, which identifies such experiences as physical abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect. Violent delinquency was measured by the Andrew Violence Scale. Low-intellectual-functioning psychopaths were significantly more violent than were low-intellectual-functioning or high-intellectual-functioning nonpsychopaths or high-intellectual-functioning psychopaths. Love deprivation was more strongly related to violence than was psychopathy/intellectual functioning; and severely love-deprived, low-intellectual-functioning psychopaths were the most violent. 3 tables and 25 references. (Author abstract modified)