This study investigated two variables that have been associated with violent behavior in adolescent males: psychopathy and gang affiliation. Twenty-one incarcerated male adolescents (ages 14-17) committed to a secure care setting participated in the study. Participants were identified as either gang members or non-gang members, and interviewed using the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R) (Hare, 1991). Results indicated that gang members as a group manifested higher levels of psychopathy than non-gang members as measured by the Total and Affective (Factor 1) scores of the PCL-R. However, interrater reliability was low on the Affective (Factor 1) scale, and Affective (Factor 1) results must be interpreted with caution. No significant differences emerged between gang members and non-gang members on the Behavior (Factor 2) score of the PCL-R. Therefore, incarcerated gang members and non-gang members did not differ significantly in delinquent offense history. In conclusion, significant differences emerged overall between gang members and non-gang members on the variable of psychopathy, establishing the presence of a relationship between psychopathy and gang affiliation. The recognition of psychopathy in influencing gang affiliation can complement existing sociological theories in understanding the complex nature of adolescents who affiliate with gangs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/282349 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | King, Sloan Renee, 1963- |
| Contributors | Smith, S. Mae |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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