Delinquency and Adolescent Self-Conceptions: A Study of the Personal Relevance of Infraction

This study deals with the "personal relevance of infraction" in variable sociocultural contexts by examining the association between delinquency and adolescent self-conceptions among junior and senior high school students differentiated on the basis of race and status. Using questionnaire data and official police records, official delinquent evaluations and personal delinquent evaluations were found to be positively related. However, the strength of the relationship was found to vary between blacks and whites, by status among whites, and by attachment to the law among both blacks and whites. Moreover, while delinquents tend to be lower in self-esteem than non-delinquents, this relationship was found to vary as well. Delinquents and non-delinquents differ most among middle-to-upper status blacks and least among low status blacks. Finally, attachment to parents conditioned the relationship at each status level.