Self-Report Measurement of "Delinquent Orientation" in Institutionalized Delinquent and High School Boys

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a self-report instrument designed to measure "delinquent orientation" as revealed by youths' attitudes, values, beliefs, and goals presumed to be of significance in governing their behavior. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 299 institutionalized delinquents and a sample of 431 high school students in both urban and rural public secondary schools. The samples were matched on age, family's socioeconomic and educational level, and urban or nonurban residence. The expectation that delinquent youths would be more negatively oriented and hence inclined to produce consistently more critical judgments (in regard to their homes, families, school experiences, and the behavior of others) was not confirmed by the findings of this study. Only with respect to unfavorable judgments of the justice system and its personnel were initial expectations upheld.