NCJ Number
216100
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 50 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2006 Pages: 506-519
Date Published
October 2006
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Using the concept of conventional genius, this study examined gender differences in self-reported criminal and unethical behavior among this genius type.
Abstract
Results indicate that among conventional geniuses, males are more likely to self-report committing felony offenses. However, looking at other offenses, on average, men do not self-report committing significantly more offenses compared to women. One of four significant differences found for non-violent felony offenses showed that women were more likely than men to commit the offense of breaking into a building or vehicle to steal something. Men consistently reported committing more total mean offenses compared to women. Of those who self-reported engaging in various behaviors, men were generally reporting more mean times of committing various offenses. Over the years, criminologists have neglected the role of intelligence as a predictor variable in the understanding of crime. It is generally assumed that less intellectually gifted individuals commit more crime than others. This study used Towers’ (1988) concept of conventional genius to analyze how deviant behavior varies by gender among genius offenders. Surveys were distributed to elite university students to tap geniuses who were presumed to conform to traditional patterns of success. The surveys included 72 different offense items representing a thorough spectrum of offending behaviors. Of the 580 surveys distributed, 133 students returned the questionnaire. The primary interest was whether or not these individuals exhibited gender differences in reported criminal and unethical behavior. Tables, notes, references