Personality and group influences on self-reported delinquent behaviour

The results of two data sets (n = 217 and n = 209) are reported in which th e Links between the Eysenckian personality factors (psychoticism, extravers ion, and neuroticism), identification with delinquent peers, and self-repor ted delinquency among high school students are examined. The factor structu re of a delinquent identity measure is reported in Study 1 and partly confi rmed in Study 2, suggesting at least two stable components: delinquent comp anionship and delinquent behavioural norms. Both of these measures were fou nd to possess concurrent validity. Results from both samples showed that th ese factors, as well as psychoticism, made significant contributions to exp laining self-reported delinquency. The results are discussed with reference to social identity theory and the nature of (Eysenckian) psychoticism. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.