AT-RISK YOUTH AND LOCUS OF CONTROL DO THEY REALLY SEE A CHOICE

Cognitive learning theory of delinquency proposes that as a result of early negative conditioning, particularly in the family and school set tings, at-risk youth are more apt to develop an insecure, alienated be lief system which increases the likelihood that they will perceive the world as a hostile place where their fate is in the hands of outside circumstances. According to the cognitive perspective, as the at-risk level of youth increases, their world view or locus of control will te nd to become more external. The present study tests this proposition b y investigating the relationship of at-risk level to locus of control for a sample of 196 juvenile shoplifters. The study utilizes an at-ris k scale developed by the author and the Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Co ntrol Scale for Children. Results generally confirm the hypothesis tha t level of risk is positively related to an external locus of control. Ways to reverse the cumulative process of learned insecurity and perc eived alienation are discussed.