The Attitude Toward Delinquency survey is a tool used by researchers to measure and assess the public’s attitudes and opinions toward delinquency and juvenile offenders. The survey consists of a series of questions that ask respondents to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with statements related to delinquency. Questions range from general attitudes about delinquency to specific opinions about the causes and consequences of delinquent behavior. The survey also includes questions about the respondents’ personal experiences with delinquency and their views on the effectiveness of various interventions and strategies for dealing with juvenile offenders. The survey results can provide valuable insights into the public’s attitudes and beliefs about delinquency and help inform policy makers and practitioners in their efforts to reduce delinquency and improve public safety.
DESCRIPTION
This survey measures general attitudes and level of acceptance about engaging in delinquent behaviors.
KEYWORDS
This tool touches on the following keywords:
WHERE TO FIND OR DOWNLOAD
WHERE TO FIND OR DOWNLOAD
This instrument can be found on page 33 of Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes‚ Behaviors‚ and Influences Among Youths: A Compendium of Assessment Tools‚ available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/YV_Compendium.pdf
FEES AND REQUIREMENTS
None noted.
AGE RANGE
Youth in general. This survey has previously been used on male students initially in grades 1‚ 4 and 7‚ and then into adulthood.
HOW TO ADMINISTER AND SCORE
Pencil and paper self-report. All items are reverse coded before summing. Higher scores indicate greater acceptance of delinquency.
Very wrong=3
Alittle wrong=2
Wrong=1
Not wrong at all =0
SOURCE
Loeber‚ R.‚ Farrington‚ D.P.‚ Stouthamer-Loeber‚ M.‚ & Van Kammen‚ W.B. (1998). Antisocial behavior and mental health problems: explanatory factors in childhood and adolescence. Mahwah‚ NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Attitude Toward Delinquency—Pittsburgh Youth Study
1. Skip school without an excuse?
2. Lie‚ disobey or talk back to adults such as parents‚ teachers‚ or others?
3. Purposely damage or destroy property that did not belong to him?
4. Steal something worth less than $5?
5. Steal something worth $50?
6. Steal something worth $100?
7. Go into or try to go into a building to steal something?
8. Go joyriding‚ that is‚ take a motor vehicle such as a car or motorcycle for a ride or drive without the owner’s permission?
9. Hit someone with the idea of hurting that person?
10. Attack someone with a weapon or with the idea of seriously hurting that person?
11. Use a weapon‚ force‚ or strong-arm methods to get money or things from people?