Abstract
Using a developmental perspective, this study contrasted learning and nonlearning disabled adolescents on three variables: Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, self-concept, and delinquent behavior. It was predicted that learning disabled adolescents would show significantly less resolution of Erikson's fourth state, “industry versus inferiority,” manifest lower overall self-concept, and report more delinquent behavior than their nondisabled peers. The results indicated that the learning disabled subjects, due to years of failing at school tasks, were unable to develop a sense of industry and competence. While these adolescents felt unpopular and inferior about their academic skills, the overall self-concept of the learning disabled sample was not significantly different than that of the comparison subjects. Finally, among nonadjudicated youths, learning disability was not found to be significantly associated with juvenile delinquency. Taken together, the results of this study show the utility of a developmental framework for a better understanding of the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents with learning handicaps.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bachara, G. H. (1976). Empathy in learning disabled children.Percept. Motor Skills 43: 541–542.
Bachara, G. H., and Zaba, J. N. (1978). Learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency.J. Learning Disabil. 11: 242–246.
Berman, A., and Siegel, A. W. (1976). Adaptive and learning skills in juvenile delinquents:
Bruininks, V. L. (1978). Peer status and personality characteristics of learning disabled and nondisabled students.J. Learning Disabil. 7: 26–34.
Bryan, T. H. (1974a). An observational analysis of classroom behavior of children with learning disabilities.J. Learning Disabil. 7: 26–34.
Bryan, T. H. (1974b). Peer popularity of learning disabled children.J. Learning Disabil. 7: 621–625.
Bryan, T. H. (1976). Peer popularity of learning disabled children: A replication.J. Learning Disabil. 7: 621–625.
Bryan, T. H. (1977). Learning disabled children's comprehension of nonverbal communication.J. Learning Disabilities 10: 501–506.
Bryan, T. H., and Pearl, R. A. (1979). Self-concepts and locus of control of learning disabled children.J. Clin. Child Psychol. 8: 223–226.
California State Department of Education. (1980).California state department of education eligibility criterion for special services. (Education Code 56337) State Printing Office, Sacremanto, CA.
Cantwell, D. P. (1978). Hyperactivity and antisocial behavior.J. Amer. Acad. Child Psychiat. 15: 252–262.
Cook, L. D. (1979). The adolescent with a learning disability: A developmental perspective.Adolescence 14: 697–707.
Coopersmith, S. (1967).The Antecedents of Self-Esteem, Freeman, San Francisco.
Cruickshank, W. M., Morse, W. C., and Johns, J. S. (1980).Learning Disabilities: The Struggle from Adolescence to Adulthood, Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY.
Denckla, M. B. (1979). Minimal brain dysfunction. In Chall, J. S., and Mirsky, A. F. (eds.),Education and the Brain, Seventy-Seventh Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, Part II, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Elliot, D., and Voss, H. (1974).Delinquency and Dropout, Heath and Company, Lexington, MA.
Erikson, E. H. (1959). Identity and the life cycle: Selected papers.Psychol. Issues 1: 1–171.
Erikson, E. H. (1963).Childhood and Society, Norton, New York.
Erikson, E. H. (1968).Identity, Youth, and Crisis, Norton, New York.
Greenberger, E., and Sorenson, A. B. (1974). Toward a concept of psychosocial maturity.J. Youth Adoles. 3: 329–358.
Hollingshead, A. B. (1975). Four-Factor Index of Social Status, unpublished manuscript (Available from Department of Sociology, Yale University, 140 Prospect, St., New Haven, CT 06520).
Holzman, H. R. (1979). Learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency: Biological and sociological theories. In Jeffrey, C. R. (ed.),Biology and Crime, Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA.
Keilitz, I., Zaremba, B., and Broder, P. (1979). The link between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency: some issues and answers.Learning Disabil. Q. 2: 2–11.
Keogh, B. (1982). Research in learning disabilities: A view of status and need. In Das, J. P., Mulcahy, R. G., and Wall, A. E. (eds.),Theory and Research in Learning Disabilities, Plenum Press, New York.
Kulik, J. A., Stein, K. B., and Sarbin, T. R. (1968a). Dimensions and patterns of adolescent anti-social behavior.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 32: 375–382.
Kulik, J. A., Stein, K. B., and Sarbin, T. R. (1968b). Disclosure of delinquent behavior under conditions of Anonymity and nonanonymity.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 32: 506–509.
Larsen, S. C., Parker, R., and Jorjorian, S. (1973). Differences in self-concept of normal and learning disabled children.Percept. Motor Skills 73: 510.
LaVoie, J. C. (1976). Ego identity formation in middle adolescence.J. Youth Adoles. 5: 371–385.
Lipsitt, L. P. (1958). A self-concept scale for children and its relation to the children's form of the manifest anxiety scale.Child Develop. 29: 463–472.
McKay, S., and Brumback, R. A. (1980). Relationship between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency.Percept. Motor Skills 51: 1223–1226.
Meilman, P. W. (1979). Cross-sectional age changes in ego identity status during adolescence.Develop. Psychol. 15: 230–231.
Mindingall, A., Libb, J. W., and Welch, M. (1980). Locus of control and personality functioning of learning disabled children.J. Clin. Psychol. 36: 137–141.
Munro, G., and Adams, G. R. (1977). Ego-identity formation in college students and working youth.Dev. Psychol. 13: 523–524.
Murray, C. A. (1976).The Link Between Learning Disabilities and Juvenile Delinquency: Current Theory and Knowledge, U. S. Government Printing Offic (No. 244-819), Washington, D.C.
Offer, D. (1969).The Psychological World of the Teenager, Basic Books, New York.
O'Malley, P. M., and Bachman, J. G. (1983). Self-esteem: Change and stability between ages 13 and 23.Dev. Psychol. 19: 257–268.
Pickar, D. B. (1986). Psychosocial aspects of learning disabilities: A review of research.Bull. Menninger Clinic 50: 22–32.
Piers, E. (1969).Manual for the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Counselor Recordings and Tests, Nashville, TN.
Piers, E. V., and Harris, D. B. (1964). Age and other correlates of self-concept in children.J. Educa. Psychol. 55: 91–95.
Poermba, C. D. (1975). Learning disabilities, youth and delinquency: Programs for intervention. In Myklebust, H. R. (ed.),Progress in Learning Disabilities (vol. I), Grune and Stratton, New York.
Ribner, S. (1978). The effects of special class placement on the self-concept of exceptional.J. Learning Disabil. 11: 319–323.
Rosenthal, D. A. Gurney, R. M., and Moore, S. M. (1981). From trust to intimacy: A new inventory for examining Erikson's stages of psychosocial development.J. Youth Adoles. 10: 525–537.
Serafica, F. C., and harway, N. I. (1979). Social relations and self-esteem of children with learning disabilities.J. Clin. Child Psychol. 8: 227–233.
Silverman, R., and Zigmond, N. (1983). Self-concept in learning disabled adolescents.J. Learning Disabil. 16: 478–482.
Siperstein, G. N., Bopp, M. J., and Bak, J. J. (1978). Social status of learning disabled children.J. Learning Disabil. 16: 478–482.
Tarnapol, L. (1970). Delinquency and minimal brain dysfunction.J. Learning Disabilities, 16: 478–482.
Wilgosh, L., and Paitch, D. (1982). Delinquency and learning disabilities: More evidence.J. Learning Disabil. 15: 278–279.
Winne, P. H., Woodlands, M. J., and Wong, B. (1982). Comparability of self-concept among learning disabled, normal, and gifted students.J. Learning Disabil. 15: 470–475.
Wylie, R. C. (1974).The Self-Concept (Vol. I) University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NB.
Zinkus, P. W., and Gottlieb, M. I. (1978). Learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency.Clin. Pediatr. 17: 775–780.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Recived Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Menninger Foundation, Topeka, Kansas. Current research interests include psychological testing and prediction of psychology in hospitalized adolescents and adults.
Received Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. Current research interests include psychotherapy methods and psychometrics
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pickar, D.B., Tori, C.D. The learning disabled adolescent: Eriksonian psychosocial development, self-concept, and delinquent behavior. J Youth Adolescence 15, 429–440 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02143524
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02143524