The Relationship of Hyperactivity and Sensation Seeking to Delinquency Subtypes

Abstract

This study separated juvenile delinquents into three personality subtypes and tested the relationship among these three groups with regard to stimulation seeking and a prior history of hyperactivity. It was hypothesized that the psychopathic personality delinquents would score higher on stimulation seeking and hyperactivity than would the socialized-subcultural and neurotic delinquents. Twenty-eight male delinquents incarcerated in two juvenile facilities in north central Florida were classified into personality subtypes based on the Personal Opinion Survey. There was no significant relationship between personality subtypes and stimulation seeking. There was a positive relationship between the raw scores on the Personal Opinion Survey, Psychopathic Scale, and the Hyperactivity Index and the Learning Problems Scale on the Conners Parent Rating Scale. The results are discussed in relation to previous findings and implications for further research.