Personality and Delinquency: A Multi. Variate Examination of Eysenck's Theory With Scottish Delinquent and Non-Delinquent Boys

Abstract

The Eysenck Junior P.1. questionnaire was administered to groups of institutionalized and non-institutionalized delinquents and to non-delinquents. Scores were evaluated at scale and item level by discriminant analysis. A further analysis of discriminant items produced new, empirically validated dimensions which, reapplied to a discriminant function program, allowed examination of their relative effectiveness in the (posterior) prediction of group membership. Additional hypotheses from Eysenck's theory concerning the behavior of items with more homogeneous subgroups within the larger delinquent sample were examined. Of 38 items discriminating delinquents from non-delinquents, 15 were found to define six discriminant factors called (i) Neuroticism/Depression; (ii) Social Adjustment/Sensitivity; (iii) Psychoticism; (iv) Impulsivity; (v) Social Extraversion; and (vi) Delinquency/Social Non-Conformity. Two largely congruent “second order” factors were identified as Extraversion and Neuroticism. But a third second-order factor differed markedly between the two samples. Theoretical implications are discussed.

Differences between personality traits of convicted and non-convicted persons: The Hexaco model of personality as a framework

“…Zbog toga je teško utvrditi da li je dobijeni skor na mjerama ličnosti povezan sa kriminogenim ponašanjem ili sa institucionalizacijom (Romero et al 2001). Na primjer, postoje podaci da intenzitet dimenzije Ekstraverzija opada sa hapšenjem i smještanjem u ustanovu (Allsopp & Feldman, 1974;Forrest, 1977;Haapasalo, 1990).…”

Criminality Among Female Drug Users Following an HIV Risk-Reduction Intervention

“…Drug use has been associated with criminality (Kaplan, 1995;Miller, Whitney, & Washousky, 1986;Newcomb, Galaif, & Carmona, 2001), victimization manifestation of inner tension may occur in anxiety or manic-depressive states (Cormier, 1966;De Coster, 2003;Forrest, 1977;Harrer & KoflerWestergren, 1986). Among women in drug treatment, their past victimization experiences have been identified as fundamental to their drug use and participation in illegal activities (Welle et al, 1998).…”

“…In addition, past life events, including a negative family or childhood history, also may contribute to the risk of criminality (Arata, 2000;Arnold, Stewart, & McNeece, 2001;Chesney-Lind, 1997;L'Abate & Baggett, 1997;Nyamathi, Wenzel, Lesser, Flaskerud, & Leake, 2001;Welle et al, 1998;West, Williams, & Siegel, 2000). Depression has been associated with criminality and research has shown that criminal acts arising from a manifestation of inner tension may occur in anxiety or manic-depressive states (Cormier, 1966;De Coster, 2003;Forrest, 1977;Harrer & Kofler-Westergren, 1986). Among women in drug treatment, their past victimization experiences have been identified as fundamental to their drug use and participation in illegal activities (Welle et al, 1998).…”