Adolescents' Attributions for Delinquent Behavior

Abstract

This studs' examines adolescents' causal attributions for their own and others' delinquent behavior and the relationship between those attributions and delinquent involvement. In addition, the impact of living in a state school for delinquents on attributions is examined. Seventy institutionalized adolescents and 69 ninth-graders completed measures of attributions and delinquent involvement. Multivariate analyses of these data indicate the following: (1) adolescents attribute both their own and others' behavior to situational over dispositional causes; (2) adolescents use both situational and dispositional attributions to a greater degree when explaining others' behavior than when explaining their own behavior; (3) institutionalization effects attributions; and (4) there is no relationship between attributions for one's own behavior and degree of involvement in that behavior.

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References

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