Skip to main content
Log in

Immaturity, delinquency, and the WechslerP > V sign

  • Published:
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The classic psychodiagnostic sign for delinquency —Wechsler Performance IQ being higher than Verbal IQ —has shown generally good validity, improvable by a modifier variable (Warren's I -level system). Reasoning from the I-level immaturity theory of delinquency, the present study investigated age as a possible substitute for the I-level in its role as a moderator variable for the Wechsler P> Vsign, within a population of male juvenile delinquents. As hypothesized, young age predicted a high P > Vscore, supporting the immaturity theory of delinquency. Types of immaturity are discussed. Future work should test the P > Vsign as an aid in evaluating delinquency treatment methods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ames, L. B., Metraux, Z. W., & Walker, R. N.Adolescent Rorschach responses. New York: Hoeber, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrew, J. M. Coping style and declining verbal abilities.Journal of Gerontology, 1973,28, 179–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrew, J. M. Violent crime indices among community-retained delinquents.Criminal Justice and Behavior, 1974,1, 123–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrew, J. M. Delinquency, the WechslerP> V sign, and theI-level system.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1974,30, 331–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corotto, L. V. The relation of Performance to Verbal IQ in acting out juveniles.Journal of Psychological Studies, 1961,12, 162–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cross, H. J., & Tracy, J. J. Personality factors in delinquent boys: Differences between blacks and whites.Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 1971,8, 10–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drever, J.A dictionary of psychology. Baltimore: Penguin, 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganzer, V. J., & Sarason, I. G. Variables associated with recidivism among juvenile delinquents.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1973,40, 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gough, H. G. Conceptual analysis of psychological test scores and other diagnostic variables.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1965,70, 294–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guertin, W. H., Ladd, C. E., Frank, G. H., Rabin, A. I., & Hiester, D. S. Research with the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Adults, 1960–1965.Psychological Bulletin, 1966,66, 385–409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guertin, W. H., Ladd, C. E., Frank, G. H., Rabin, A. I., & Hiester, D. S. Research with the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Adults: 1965–1970.The Psychological Record, 1971,21, 289–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hare, R. D.Psychopathy. New York: Wiley, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartup, W. W. Aggression in childhood.American Psychologist, 1974,29, 336–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henning, J. J., & Levy, R. H. Verbal-Performance IQ differences of white and Negro delinquents on the WISC and WAIS.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1967,23, 164–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, D. E., & Hardt, R. H. Developmental stage, delinquency, and differential treatment.Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 1965 (January), 20–31.

  • Jesness, C. F., Bohnstedt, M., Molof, M. J., & Wedge, R.Sequential I-level classification. Sacramento: American Justice Institute, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayo, P. R., & Bell, J. M. Hostility and personality in a student-teacher population.British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 1971,10, 375–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercer, J. R., & Smith, J. M. Subtest estimates of the WISC Full Scale IQ's for children. National Center for Health Statistics,Vital and Health Statistics. Series 2, No. 47. DHEW Pub. No. (HSM) 72-1047. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, March, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, T. Matching worker and client in corrections.Social Work, 1973,18, 95–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, T., & Werner, E. California's Community Treatment Project, Research report No. 12: The Phase III experiment: Progress to date. Fall, 1972. (Mimeographed)

  • Peevers, B. H., & Secord, P. F. Developmental changes in attribution of descriptive concepts to persons.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1973,27, 120–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robins, L. N.Deviant children grown up. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverstein, A. B. Reappraisal of the validity of a short short form of Wechsler's scales.Psychological Reports, 1970,26, 559–561.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, H. M., & Lev, J.Statistical inference. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, M. Q. Clasification of offenders as an aid to efficient management and effective treatment.The Journal of Criminal Law. Criminology and Police Science, 1971,62, 239–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, M. Q. Classification for treatment. Center for Training in Differential Treatment, Sacramento, California. Prepared for the Department of Justice, Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. Presented at the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice seminar on “The Classification of Criminal Behavior: Uses and the State of Research,” Washington, D.C., May 4, 1972. (Mimeographed)

  • Woodruff, D. S., & Birren, J. E. Age changes and cohort differences in personality.Developmental Psychology, 1972,6, 252–259.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Andrew, J.M. Immaturity, delinquency, and the WechslerP > V sign. J Abnorm Child Psychol 2, 245–251 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00918892

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00918892

Keywords

Navigation