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Delinquent behaviour and attitudes to formal authority
The British Journal of Social Psychology
|September 1, 1985
Summary
This study developed a scale to measure adolescents' attitudes toward authority, finding a strong correlation between positive attitudes and lower delinquency rates. The findings suggest attitudes toward authority significantly influence adolescent behavior and sex differences in delinquency.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminology
Background:
- Adolescent attitudes toward authority are crucial for understanding social behavior.
- Previous research has not fully explored the nuances of these attitudes across different domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a scale assessing attitudes toward formal authority in school and public domains.
- To examine the relationship between these attitudes and self-reported delinquency in young adolescents.
Main Methods:
- A scale was administered to young adolescents (13 years).
- Factor analysis was used to identify underlying dimensions of attitudes toward authority.
- Covariance analysis examined the relationship between attitudes, delinquency, and sex differences.
Main Results:
- Attitudes toward school and public authority were highly correlated (r = 0.57).
- Four factors emerged: alienation, rule adherence, perception of authority impartiality, and school relationship.
- Both overall and factor scores related significantly to delinquency; attitudes explained sex differences in delinquency.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent attitudes toward authority are multifaceted and significantly impact delinquency.
- The developed scale provides a valuable tool for assessing these attitudes.
- Attitude toward authority is a key factor in understanding sex differences in adolescent delinquency.