Self-Concept in Negro and White Pre-Adolescent Delinquent Boys

Comparison of delinquents and nondelinquents in ethnicity, ordinal position, and self-preception

“…They suggested that high self-concept was a product of favorable socialization and steered boys away from delinquency, while low self-concept was the result of unfavorable socialization and provided little resistance to deviancy, delinquent companions, or subculture. Other proponents who have advocated low self-perception among juvenile delinquents include Gold (1978), Gold and Mann (1972), Rathus and Siegel (1973), and Wax (1972). Rathus and Siegel (1973) stated that "It is a generally accepted psychological principle that failure to meet one's need tends to be associated with low self-esteem" (p. 265).…”