It was predicted from a theoretical analysis of delinquency that adjudicated delinquents would be significantly greater in stimulation-seeking than nondelinquents matched on age, sex, race, and SES. Stimulation-seeking in 32 delinquent black adolescents and 32 nondelinquent black adolescents matched on age, sex, and SES was compared using the Sensation-Seeking Scale. In support of the theory, the delinquents were significantly higher in stimulation-seeking than the nondelinquents. Discussion centered on comparison with data for white adolescents and on the direction future tests of the theoretical analysis should take.
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