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The prediction of delinquency: a correlation between a measure of personality and classroom behaviour
NOTES AND SHORTERCOMMUNICATIONS
87
patients’ mental-health LOC orientation. The authors of this report are studying the mental-health and its relationship to both the Rotter 1-E Scale and patient responses to biofeedback.
LOC scale
REFERENCES AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC A~~OCIATION (1980) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 3rd edn. APA, Washington. DC. BURGOYNE R. W.. STAPLES F. R.. YAMAMOTOJ., WOLKON G. H. and KLINE F. (1979) Patients’ requests of an outpatient clinic. Archs gen. Psych& 36, 400-403. Goss A. and MOROSKO T. E. (1970) Relation between a dimension of internal-external control and MMPI with an alcoholic population. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 34. 189-192. HARROW M. and FERRANTE A. (1969) Locus of control in psychiatric patients. J. consult.<,/in. Psycho/. 33, 582-589.
KIRSCHT J. P. (1972) Perceptions of control and health beliefs. Can. J. hehac. Sri. 4. 225-237. LEFCOURT H. M. (1976) Locus of Control: Current Trends in Theory and Research. Erlbaum, Hillsdale. New Jersey. LEVENSON H. (1973) Multidimensional locus of control in psychiatric patients. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 41. 397-404.
LOTTMAN T. J. and DEWOLFE A. S. (1972) Internal versus external control in reactive and process schizophrenia. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 39, 344. NADITCH M. P. (1975) Locus of control and drinking behavior in a sample of men in army basic training. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 43, 96. NOWICKI S. and HOPPER A. (1974) Locus of control correlated in an alcoholic population. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/.
42. 735.
OZIEL J. R., OBITZ F. W. and KEYSON M. (1972) General Psycho/.
and specific perceived
locus of control
in alcoholism.
Rep. 30. 957-958.
ROTTER J. B. (1966) Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psycho/. Monogr. 80, (I. Whole No. 609). ROTTER J. B. (1975) Some problems and misconceptions related to the construct of internal versus external control of reinforcement. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 43, 5667. SHYBUT J. (1968) Time perspective, internal versus external control and severity of psychological disturbance. J. c/in. Psycho/. 24, 312-315. SMITH C. E., PRYER M. W. and DISTEFANO M. K. (1971) Internal-external control and severity of emotional impairment among psychiatric patients. J. c/in. Psycho/. 27. 449-450. STRICKLAND B. R. (1978) Internal-external expectancies and health-related behaviors. J. consult. c/in, Psycho/. 46, 1192-1211. WALLSTON K. A., WALLSTON G. D.. KAPLAN G. D. and MAIDES S. A. (1976) Development and validation of the health locus of control (HLC) scale. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 44, 58&585.
Perron. mdirid. Difl. Vol. Prmted I” Great Bnta~n
3. pp 87 10 8s. 1982
0191-X86982 OlCiI87-02SO3.M) 0 Pcrpamon Pres\ Ltd
The prediction of delinquency : a correlation between a measure of personality and classroom hehaviour DAVID A. LANE and MICHAEL H. HYMANS Islington
Educational Copenhagen
Guidance Centre, Former Street/York Way, London (Received
28 Murch
York Way School, Nl. U.K.
1981)
Summary-In a study of (N = 120) children exhibiting classroom behaviour problems, a significant correlation was found between the ‘criminal propensity’ (‘c’ score) of a self-report questionnaire and the ‘delinquency predictor’ (‘DP’ score) of a teacher-administered questionnaire. Since the delinquency predictor score has previously been found to be a reliable predictor of later delinquency, the criminal propensity score appears to be worthy of further study.
INTRODUCTION Allsopp and Feldman (1974) in a study of school behaviour have demonstrated a relationship between antisocial behaviour and scores on the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Eysenck and Eysenck, 1975). This pattern, later called the ‘Criminal Propensity (‘C’) Score’ has been suggested as possibly predictive of later delinquent behaviour. However, correlations between this ‘c’ score and established predictive measures (such as the Delinquency Predictor score from Stott’s 1971. Bristol Social Adjustment Guide) have not been reported. Its value in discriminating between delinquent and non-delinquent adolescents is also undemonstrated.
NOTES AND SHORTER COMMUNlCATlONS
88
Previously, Lane (1974, 1976a,b, 1978) has pointed to the value of the EPQ in discriminating between children with various levels and types of behaviour difficulty, recovery from disorders, and as a predictor of therapy responsiveness. This author has also indicated correlations between the EPQ and Stott’s Bristol Social Adjustment Guide (BSAG). Since Stott et al. (1971) have demonstrated a strong relationship between the DP Score and later delinquency, correlations between the Eysenck C and Stott DP Scores are of interest. The potential value of such measures is underlined by the recent findings of Osborn and West (1978) which show that ‘troublesome’ behaviour in school, together with certain personality attributes (such as impulsiveness and hedonistic life style and attitude) are also good predictors of criminality. The aim of the present study was therefore to correlate C and DP scores of children and to compare the scores of delinquent and non-delinquent children.
SUBJECTS
Two random samples of boys and girls of secondary school age referred to a centre for conduct disorders were used. Sample 1: N = 120 children for the C and DP correlations Sample 2: N = 30 pairs of Sample 1 children. for the comparisons of ‘c’ scores of children who had no convictions and those having convictions as juveniles. METHOD
BSAG forms were obtained from teachers who knew the children well but who were not involved in the research. The same pupils were then asked to complete EPQs and both sets of forms were marked independently. For Sample 1 the respective scores were correlated using a Pearson product-moment correlation (r). For Sample 2 records held on the pupils were checked lo find groups of pupils fitting the criterion having or not having juvenile convictions. RESULTS
From Sample 1 i.e. N = 120 the value of the Pearson product-moment correlation (r) was found 0.3245, which is significant at the 0.001 level (two-tailed test). From Sample 2 the following table of ‘c’ scores for delinquent and non-delinquent groups was drawn
to be up,
CONCLUSIOh
The results indicate a significant correlation between and between delinquent and non-delinquent groups.
the self-report
and teacher-administered
questionnaires
REFERENCES ALLSOPP J. F. and FELDMAN M. P. (1974) Extraversion
neuroticism, and psychoticism and antisocial behaviour Sot. Behao. Person. 21, 184190. EYSENCK H. J. and EYSENCK S. B. G. (1975) Manual of‘ the Eysrnck Personaliry Questionnaire. Hodder & Stoughton, London. LANE D. A. (1974) Truancy in the disruptive pupil. Research paper available from the author. LANE D. A. (1976a) Limitations on counselling. Remedial Educ. 11(3), 120-121. LANE D. A. (1976b) Predictions of drug use. Community Hlth 81, 12-15. LANE D. A. (1978) The Impossible Child, Vol. 1. ILEA, London. OSBORN S. A. and WEST D. J. (1978) The effectiveness of various predictors of criminal careers. J. Adolescence 1, 101-l 17. STOTT D. H. (1971) The Social Adjustment of Children. London Univ. Press, London. STOTT D. H., MARSTON N. C. and NEILL S. J. (1975) Taxonomy oJt?ehaviour Disturbance. London Univ. Press, London. in schoolgirls.
87
patients’ mental-health LOC orientation. The authors of this report are studying the mental-health and its relationship to both the Rotter 1-E Scale and patient responses to biofeedback.
LOC scale
REFERENCES AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC A~~OCIATION (1980) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 3rd edn. APA, Washington. DC. BURGOYNE R. W.. STAPLES F. R.. YAMAMOTOJ., WOLKON G. H. and KLINE F. (1979) Patients’ requests of an outpatient clinic. Archs gen. Psych& 36, 400-403. Goss A. and MOROSKO T. E. (1970) Relation between a dimension of internal-external control and MMPI with an alcoholic population. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 34. 189-192. HARROW M. and FERRANTE A. (1969) Locus of control in psychiatric patients. J. consult.<,/in. Psycho/. 33, 582-589.
KIRSCHT J. P. (1972) Perceptions of control and health beliefs. Can. J. hehac. Sri. 4. 225-237. LEFCOURT H. M. (1976) Locus of Control: Current Trends in Theory and Research. Erlbaum, Hillsdale. New Jersey. LEVENSON H. (1973) Multidimensional locus of control in psychiatric patients. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 41. 397-404.
LOTTMAN T. J. and DEWOLFE A. S. (1972) Internal versus external control in reactive and process schizophrenia. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 39, 344. NADITCH M. P. (1975) Locus of control and drinking behavior in a sample of men in army basic training. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 43, 96. NOWICKI S. and HOPPER A. (1974) Locus of control correlated in an alcoholic population. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/.
42. 735.
OZIEL J. R., OBITZ F. W. and KEYSON M. (1972) General Psycho/.
and specific perceived
locus of control
in alcoholism.
Rep. 30. 957-958.
ROTTER J. B. (1966) Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psycho/. Monogr. 80, (I. Whole No. 609). ROTTER J. B. (1975) Some problems and misconceptions related to the construct of internal versus external control of reinforcement. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 43, 5667. SHYBUT J. (1968) Time perspective, internal versus external control and severity of psychological disturbance. J. c/in. Psycho/. 24, 312-315. SMITH C. E., PRYER M. W. and DISTEFANO M. K. (1971) Internal-external control and severity of emotional impairment among psychiatric patients. J. c/in. Psycho/. 27. 449-450. STRICKLAND B. R. (1978) Internal-external expectancies and health-related behaviors. J. consult. c/in, Psycho/. 46, 1192-1211. WALLSTON K. A., WALLSTON G. D.. KAPLAN G. D. and MAIDES S. A. (1976) Development and validation of the health locus of control (HLC) scale. J. consult. c/in. Psycho/. 44, 58&585.
Perron. mdirid. Difl. Vol. Prmted I” Great Bnta~n
3. pp 87 10 8s. 1982
0191-X86982 OlCiI87-02SO3.M) 0 Pcrpamon Pres\ Ltd
The prediction of delinquency : a correlation between a measure of personality and classroom hehaviour DAVID A. LANE and MICHAEL H. HYMANS Islington
Educational Copenhagen
Guidance Centre, Former Street/York Way, London (Received
28 Murch
York Way School, Nl. U.K.
1981)
Summary-In a study of (N = 120) children exhibiting classroom behaviour problems, a significant correlation was found between the ‘criminal propensity’ (‘c’ score) of a self-report questionnaire and the ‘delinquency predictor’ (‘DP’ score) of a teacher-administered questionnaire. Since the delinquency predictor score has previously been found to be a reliable predictor of later delinquency, the criminal propensity score appears to be worthy of further study.
INTRODUCTION Allsopp and Feldman (1974) in a study of school behaviour have demonstrated a relationship between antisocial behaviour and scores on the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Eysenck and Eysenck, 1975). This pattern, later called the ‘Criminal Propensity (‘C’) Score’ has been suggested as possibly predictive of later delinquent behaviour. However, correlations between this ‘c’ score and established predictive measures (such as the Delinquency Predictor score from Stott’s 1971. Bristol Social Adjustment Guide) have not been reported. Its value in discriminating between delinquent and non-delinquent adolescents is also undemonstrated.
NOTES AND SHORTER COMMUNlCATlONS
88
Previously, Lane (1974, 1976a,b, 1978) has pointed to the value of the EPQ in discriminating between children with various levels and types of behaviour difficulty, recovery from disorders, and as a predictor of therapy responsiveness. This author has also indicated correlations between the EPQ and Stott’s Bristol Social Adjustment Guide (BSAG). Since Stott et al. (1971) have demonstrated a strong relationship between the DP Score and later delinquency, correlations between the Eysenck C and Stott DP Scores are of interest. The potential value of such measures is underlined by the recent findings of Osborn and West (1978) which show that ‘troublesome’ behaviour in school, together with certain personality attributes (such as impulsiveness and hedonistic life style and attitude) are also good predictors of criminality. The aim of the present study was therefore to correlate C and DP scores of children and to compare the scores of delinquent and non-delinquent children.
SUBJECTS
Two random samples of boys and girls of secondary school age referred to a centre for conduct disorders were used. Sample 1: N = 120 children for the C and DP correlations Sample 2: N = 30 pairs of Sample 1 children. for the comparisons of ‘c’ scores of children who had no convictions and those having convictions as juveniles. METHOD
BSAG forms were obtained from teachers who knew the children well but who were not involved in the research. The same pupils were then asked to complete EPQs and both sets of forms were marked independently. For Sample 1 the respective scores were correlated using a Pearson product-moment correlation (r). For Sample 2 records held on the pupils were checked lo find groups of pupils fitting the criterion having or not having juvenile convictions. RESULTS
From Sample 1 i.e. N = 120 the value of the Pearson product-moment correlation (r) was found 0.3245, which is significant at the 0.001 level (two-tailed test). From Sample 2 the following table of ‘c’ scores for delinquent and non-delinquent groups was drawn
to be up,
CONCLUSIOh
The results indicate a significant correlation between and between delinquent and non-delinquent groups.
the self-report
and teacher-administered
questionnaires
REFERENCES ALLSOPP J. F. and FELDMAN M. P. (1974) Extraversion
neuroticism, and psychoticism and antisocial behaviour Sot. Behao. Person. 21, 184190. EYSENCK H. J. and EYSENCK S. B. G. (1975) Manual of‘ the Eysrnck Personaliry Questionnaire. Hodder & Stoughton, London. LANE D. A. (1974) Truancy in the disruptive pupil. Research paper available from the author. LANE D. A. (1976a) Limitations on counselling. Remedial Educ. 11(3), 120-121. LANE D. A. (1976b) Predictions of drug use. Community Hlth 81, 12-15. LANE D. A. (1978) The Impossible Child, Vol. 1. ILEA, London. OSBORN S. A. and WEST D. J. (1978) The effectiveness of various predictors of criminal careers. J. Adolescence 1, 101-l 17. STOTT D. H. (1971) The Social Adjustment of Children. London Univ. Press, London. STOTT D. H., MARSTON N. C. and NEILL S. J. (1975) Taxonomy oJt?ehaviour Disturbance. London Univ. Press, London. in schoolgirls.