NCJ Number
73896
Journal
Revue de droit penal et de criminologie Volume: 60 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1980) Pages: 705-735
Date Published
1980
Length
31 pages
Annotation
Based on Gough's socialization scale and his sociological theory of psychopathy, Belgian criminological researchers perfected and refined a self-adminstered personality inventory instrument to detect youth with high delinquency potentials.
Abstract
The objective of this investigation was to devise the most suitable psychological testing instrument for detecting potential juvenile delinquents by isolating relevant personality traits. Gough's personality inventory and socialization scale was chosen, based on its intrinsic value and on significant research conducted in the United States (University of Ohio) and in Canada. According to Gough, socialization can be measured based on the principles of role perception. Nondelinquent youths have a satisfactory self-concept (externalized through successful interaction with others at home, school, and work) which can also be a delinquency-prevention factor. High delinquency risk can be measured in terms of negative socialization, indicated by the following factors: inadequate roletaking and antisocial behavior; poor familial satisfaction, accompanied by feelings of victimization and exploitation by family members; feelings of insecurity; lack of confidence in self and others; maladjustment in school, and rebellion (social maladjustment). Gough validated his methodology by analyzing anwers of juvenile first-offenders and recidivists to a 64-item questionnaire. He tested the discriminating ability of his scale by comparatively by surveying 1295 delinquent and 9001 nondelinquent youths. This study examines each of the 64 items of Gough's original questionnaire (presented in French translation) together with the Belgian adaptations, and concludes that the Gough socialization scale is a valid instrument for discriminating between nondelinquent and delinquent juveniles. The Belgian modification of Gough's socialization scale has two questionnaires: an abbreviated 23-item version and a 64-item type. The first is designed to detect youths who might be in danger of becoming delinquents in order to provide preventive social services. The second type is more suitable for clinical personality assessments of juveniles in Belgian protective educational institutions who are in danger of committing, or have already committed delinquent acts. Footnotes give bibliographic references and two appendixes show numerical values on the Gough scale and a graphic representation of the step-by-step analysis.