Date of Award
Fall 12-1-1986
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Karl B. Zucker
Second Advisor
John E. Carter
Third Advisor
Frank W. Jerse
Abstract
This study examined the possible differences between the two legally defined groups of juvenile delinquents (status offenders and criminal offenders) on the variables of moral development, socioeconomic status, and family intactness. Moral development was measured using Gibbs' Sociomoral Reflection Measure. Socioeconomic status was determined by the subject's parent's ranking on Nam's Occupational Status Score Index, and family intactness or non-intactness was determined from an examination of court records. The subjects were 106 males between the ages of 13 and 17 inclusive, and were evenly divided in the two legal categories. No significant differences were found between the two groups on any of the variables, although the family intactness variable approached significance (£ = .06), with status offenders coming from fewer intact families. The entire sample was compared to delinquents in other studies on the variables under study and found to be similar to other samples studied. Possible reasons for the findings of tr.is study, their implications, and recommendations for future research in the area were put forth.
Recommended Citation
Glynn, Michael A., "Moral Development, Socioeconomic Status, and Family Intactness: Status Offenders Versus Criminal Offenders" (1986). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3366.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/3366
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