NCJ Number
4838
Journal
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1972) Pages: 282-296
Date Published
1972
Length
15 pages
Annotation
COMPARISON BETWEEN A GROUP OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AND LOWER CLASS YOUTHS TO DETERMINE DIFFERENCES IN DEGREE OF CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT AND BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS.
Abstract
TWO SCALES WERE USED TO MEASURE THE INDIVIDUAL'S ACTUAL PARTICIPATION IN CRIME, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN. IN EACH CASE, THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN HIS PROPORTIONATE SHARE TO MAJOR CRIME WHEN COMPARED TO THE OVER-ALL CRIMINAL POPULATION. HE WAS MORE FREQUENTLY INVOLVED IN VENTURES OF BURGLARY, LARCENY, AND ROBBERY, CRIMES WHICH REQUIRE DARING AND BOLDNESS RATHER THAN CUNNING. THE PERCEIVED QUALITY OF FAMILY INTERACTION, PERCEPTION OF SELF, AND PERSONALITY TRAITS IN THE TWO GROUPS WERE ALSO STUDIED. THE CONTROL SAMPLE OF LOWER CLASS YOUTHS REPORTED A MORE FAVORABLE RESPONSE TOWARD THEIR FAMILY INTERACTION. CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MAY TEND TO DISRUPT FAMILY SOLIDARITY APPEARED FAR MORE FREQUENTLY WITHIN THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER'S FAMILY. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILES INDICATED THAT THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER HAD A MUCH POORER CONCEPT OF SELF. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES WERE FOUND IN PERSONALITY TRAITS.