NCJ Number
99366
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 20 Issue: 78 Dated: (Summer 1985) Pages: 323-333
Date Published
1985
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Ten male and 10 female delinquents were compared with 10 male and 10 female nondelinquents on a structured self-reported affective empathy task, an unstructured affective empathy task, and a cognitive role-taking measure.
Abstract
Differences between groups were found only on the unstructured empathy task, with delinquents performing more poorly than nondelinquents. Sex differences were noted in the delinquent sample on the structured empathy task, with males demonstrating less empathic responding than females. The role of empathic skills in the etiology of delinquent behavior is addressed. In addition, the need to further differentiate the cognitive and affective components of the empathic construct is emphasized. (Author abstract)