NCJ Number
18629
Date Published
1975
Length
190 pages
Annotation
HOLDS THAT NEGATIVE SELF-ATTITUDES INCREASE THE PROBABILITY OF DEVIANT PATTERNS AND THAT THE ADOPTION OF SUCH PATTERNS INCREASES THE PROBABILITY OF SELF-ACCEPTING ATTITUDES.
Abstract
THE SELF-ESTEEM MOTIVE IS CONSIDERED THE BASIC PREMISE OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. THE SELF-ESTEEM MOTIVE IS DEFINED, ITS DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDIVIDUAL IS CONSIDERED, AND EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FOR ITS PREVALENCE IS PRESENTED. THE CLASSES OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE SATISFACTION OF THE SELF-ESTEEM MOTIVE ARE CONSIDERED, AND THE INFLUENCE OF NEGATIVE SELF-ATTITUDES UPON THE ADOPTION AND STABILIZATION OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR IS DISCUSSED. RESEARCH LITERATURE IS EXAMINED TO SHOW THE APPARENT COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN EMPIRICAL FINDINGS AND THE OUTLINE OF THE THEORETICAL MODEL PRESENTED. DISHONESTY, DELINQUENCY, CRIMINALITY, DRUG ABUSE, ALCOHOL ABUSE, AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR, AND MENTAL ILLNESS ARE CONSIDERED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVIANT THEORY DEVELOPED.