This study explored the relationships among a behavioral and verbal measure of delay of gratification, Porteus Maze Test measures of planning ability and foresight (TQ) and impulse control (Q), and ratings of adjustment in a school for delinquent adolescent males. Both measures of delay of gratification were significantly related to the Porteus measures and the adjustment ratings. Delay of gratification was also found to be related, in part, to age and ethnic-group membership, but not IQ. The findings were replicated in a Spanish-American subgroup of the total sample except for the relationship between TQ and the behavioral measure of delay. With the exception of TQ, a high degree of communality among the various measures was demonstrated.

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Demographic variables, base rates, and personality characteristics of male delinquents were explored in three studies. The total population discharged from a treatment-oriented facility (N = 455) was followed, and data were recovered from 98%. The recidivism rate was 37.5%, which compares to the recidivism base rates found in similar rehabilitation facilities. Significantly higher rates of recidivism were found among the younger delinquents, delinquents with prior institutional experience, and delinquents who had previously run away from an institution. Two studies of recidivism and impulsivity, foresight and planning ability, delay of gratification, and staff ratings of institutional adjustment are reported. Measures of impulse control and foresight and planning ability differentiated 10 recidivists from 10 nonrecidivists. A follow-up study of 68 consecutively discharged subjects from the same institution replicated the findings with respect to impulse control but not foresight and planning ability. One measure of future time perspective and some staff ratings were also related to recidivism. The Porteus (J-score measure of impulsiveness shows the most promise with respect to predicting recidivism.

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