Skip to main content
Log in

Personality characteristics of delinquent subtypes

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

Abstract

A group of juvenile delinquents, classified as neuroticdisturbed, unsocialized-psychopathic, and socializedsubcultural, were compared on the MMPI. The results provided support for the initial classification and yielded MMPI profiles suggestive of two personality types: a conflicted, weakego delinquent with considerable intrapsychic conflict, and a more traditional psychopathic type, with little apparent anxiety or neurotic symptomatology. These results were replicated with a crossvalidation sample.

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

  • Cronbach, L. J. Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests.Psychometrika, 1951,16, 297–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gynther, M. D. The clinical utility of “invalid” MMPIF scores.Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1961,25, 540–542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, R. E., & Lingoes, J. C.Subscales for the MMPI: An aid to profile interpretation. Unpublished manuscript, University of California, 1955.

  • Hathaway, S. R., & Monachesi, E. D.Analyzing and predicting juvenile delinquency with the MMPI. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, L. E., & Jenkins, R. L.Fundamental patterns of maladjustment, the dynamics of their origin. Springfield, Illinois: State of Illinois, 1946.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marks, P. A., Seeman, W., & Haller, D. L.The actuarial use of the MMPI with adolescents and adults. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKegney, F. P. An item analysis of the MMPIF scale in juvenile delinquents.Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1965,21, 201–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H. C. Classification. In H. C. Quay and J. S. Werry (Eds.).Psychopathological disorders of childhood (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H. C., & Parsons, L. B.The differential behavior classification of the juvenile offender. Bureau of Prisons, U. S. Department of Justice, 1971.

  • Schuessler, K. F., & Cressey, D. R. Personality characteristics of criminals.American Journal of Sociology, 1950,55, 476–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waldo, G. P., & Dinitz, S. Personality attributes of the criminal: An analysis of research studies, 1950–1965.Journal of Social Problems, 1967,4, 185–201.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Genshaft, J.L. Personality characteristics of delinquent subtypes. J Abnorm Child Psychol 8, 279–283 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00919071

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00919071

Keywords

Navigation