Strong evidence that personality variables were associated with criminal behaviour. He challenged Eysenck by suggesting that research suggests those who score high on neuroticism but not extroversion tended to be official offenders (convicted). Those who scored highly on extroversion but no neuroticism tended to score highly on self-report measures.
Hypothesis
Measures of psychoticism, extroversion and self-esteem would be significant predictors for self-reported delinquency.
Design
Longitudinal research. (Psychoticism, extraversion and self-esteem at the start of the study (time 1) were significant predictors of self-reported delinquency two years later (time 2).) Self-esteem was measured over neuroticism as the value of neuroticism in predicting self-reported delinquency was questioned.
Sample
282 adolescents (146 females and 136 males) from two catholic independent schools in New South Wales, Australia. Ages 13-15 (when the study began). They had the option of withdrawing from the study – no one chose to do so.
Materials
At time 1 and 2 they were provided with a set of questions taken from Eysenck’s questionnaire (measuring psychoticism and neuroticism), a ten item measure of self-esteem and a questionnaire for self-reported delinquency that assessed interpersonal violence and vandalism using a four point rating scale.
Procedure
All three questionnaires were checked for internal validity and scored well apart from the psychoticism scale. Participants were followed up after two years with 80% responding the second time around. Questionnaires were completedanonymously and students were told that their individual responses would not be made available to school authorities.
Results:
Males were more likely to engage in delinquency at times 1 (21.16) and times 2 (20.96) than females (18.71 and 19.58 respectively). A positive correlation between psychoticism and delinquency at both time 1 and 2. Extraversion correlated with delinquency only at time 2 and was a weaker correlation. Overall – strong association was found between psychoticism and various forms of criminality. Psychoticism was the best predictor of delinquency at times 1 and 2 (not as reliable as Heaven hoped).
Conclusion:
findings aligned with previous research showing that psychoticism is associated significantly with self-reported delinquency. However, the three independent factors tested in the study (psychoticism, extraversion and low-self-esteem) explained only a modest percentage of the variance of delinquency. Therefore, other psychological factors, such as peer pressure, parents and personality could determine whether or not some children engage in delinquent behaviour.
aim
measures of psychoticism extraversion and self esteem are significant predictors of self report delinquency
longitudinal study
2 years - carried out over a long period of time.
sample size
282 adolescents 146 f 136 m
how old?
13 to 15
where?
2 catholic schools in new south wales australia
questionnaire at
beginning and end
Measures
Test booklet -
set of questions from Eysneck's personality test
10 item questionnaire of self esteem
self reported questionnaire
q to measure
extraversion psychoticism and self esteem
delinquency measured through
closed questions
how many surveyed after 2 years?
80%
results - who more likely to be delinquents in time 1 and 2
males
positive correlation between
psychoticism and delinquency time 1 2
extraversion correlated with delinquency
in time 2 weaker correlation
self esteem and delinquency
no significant correlation
what was the best predictor of delinquency?
psychoticism
conc
findings support esynks theory links weak as other factors involved
Cultural Criticism
Sample was culturally bias so findings cannot be generalised.
Criticism of the participants age
The results may have been affected by age bias too old to evaluate the factors leading to delinquency.
criticism of the sample size
20% of participants dropped out of the study, may lead to bias results, which affects the validity.
criticisms of the validity
self reporting can lead to invalid data due to social desirability.
criticisms for the lack of construct validity
using simple closed questions and rating scales hides the depth of information