Abstract
Analyses of thematic stories applied to selected pictures by delinquent and nondelinquent adolescent boys reveal that the delinquents apparently are more concerned with interpersonal relationships. This concern is primarily hostile (either moving against or protecting oneself from people). Delinquents also rarely see authority figures as passively cooperative. This suggests that delinquents may develop a cognitive awareness and sensi tivity to people with many adaptive aspects. This may reflect the object hunger and desire for relationships, hostility and fear of such relationships, and the intense need to manipulate others in order to obtain gratification, all of which have been found to be delinquent characteristics.
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