Profiles of delinquency: A comparison of delinquent behavioral groups

Delinquent adolescent students were evaluated fur possible subcultures of d elinquency. Cluster analysis of 1,583 self-reported male and female adolesc ent delinquents sampled from fifteen junior high and high schools resulted in six delinquent types. The clusters were profiled using MANOVAs and t-tes ts for demographic, familial socialization, personality characteristics, an d behavioral outcomes. Types were labeled as: (a) troubled students, (b) ma rginal delinquents, (c) general delinquents, (d) petty thieves, (e) violent extortionists, and (f) extreme delinquents. Evidence was found of both spe cializations in certain delinquent behaviors and general multiple offense p atterns. Several theories may be related to specific types of delinquents. This paper offers a guide that can be used in selecting appropriate techniq ues for intervention.