Personality and group influences on self-reported delinquent behaviour

The results of two data sets (n=217 and n=209) are reported in which the links between the Eysenckian personality factors (psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism), identification with delinquent peers, and self-reported delinquency among high school students are examined. The factor structure of a delinquent identity measure is reported in Study 1 and partly confirmed in Study 2, suggesting at least two stable components: delinquent companionship and delinquent behavioural norms. Both of these measures were found to possess concurrent validity. Results from both samples showed that these factors, as well as psychoticism, made significant contributions to explaining self-reported delinquency. The results are discussed with reference to social identity theory and the nature of (Eysenckian) psychoticism.