A comparison of two groups of institutionalized delinquents on porteus maze test performance.

Demographic variables, base rates, and personality characteristics associated with recidivism in male delinquents.

“…The second and third studies report the findings of a preliminary and a follow-up study exploring relationships among some measures of ego function and recidivism in delinquent males. The preliminary study, although dependent upon a small N, replicates and extends the findings of several previous studies (Erikson & Roberts, 1966Roberts & Erikson, 1968) demonstrating that the Porteus (5-score measure of impulsiveness, together with associated constructs, reliably differentiates subgroups of delinquents. The follow-up study, in turn, replicates and extends the findings of the preliminary study.…”

“…Other studies have also yielded contradictory findings in regard to TQ. The TQ score has been found to be related to the adjustment ratings of delinquents during short two-or three-week stays in a reception center (Roberts & Erikson, 1968), but not related to ratings of adjustment during a much longer period of time in a training school dormitory (Erikson & Roberts, 1966). The TQ score also did not differentiate between the special cottage group and the control group in the earlier study by Erikson & Roberts (1971).…”

“…The studies reported here culminate a series of studies delineating ego functions in delinquent male adolescents. Impulsiveness, as measured by the Porteus Q score, has consistently been found to be the major variable associated with willingness to delay gratification (Erikson & Roberts, 1971;Roberts & Erikson, 1968) and to "good" or "poor" adjustment in the institution (Erikson & Roberts, 1966;Roberts & Erikson, 1968).…”

“…On the basis of previous findings (Erikson & Roberts, 1966Roberts & Erikson, 1968), it was hypothesized that nonrecidivists would demonstrate less implusivity, greater foresight and planfulness, greater willingness or ability to delay gratification, and would be rated by the staff as better adjusted to the institution. 8…”

A short-term longitudinal study of impulsivity and antisocial behavior.

“…In the first place, most studies have examined only institutionalized delinquents. Although significant differences between institutionalized delinquents and controls have been found using self-report impulsivity scales (Barratt 1979(Barratt , 1985(Barratt , 1987(Barratt ,1990Eysenck & McGurk, 1980;Royse & Wiehe, 1988), the Porteus Maze test (Erikson & Roberts, 1966;Porteus, 1965), and other measures of impulsivity (Oas, 1985;Ostrov, Offer, Marohn, & Rosenwein, 1972;Osuna & Luna, 1989;Prentky & Knight, 1986;Rotenberg & Nachson, 1979), none of these studies have controlled for the effect of institutionalization. This kind of study cannot, therefore, establish the degree to which impulsivity is a denning element of antisocial behavior and not just a consequence of institutionalization or a factor facilitating the apprehension of persons performing antisocial acts.…”