Explaining the relation between IQ and delinquency: class, race, test motivation, school failure, or self-control?
Journal Article (Journal Article)
An inverse relation between IQ and delinquency has been well established, but the direction of effect remains to be specified. Differing explanatory accounts of the relation were empirically examined in the present study using data on 13-year-old boys involved in a high-risk longitudinal study. Accounts that interpreted the relation as spurious or that posited that delinquency-related factors lead to low IQ scores received no support; findings were most consistent with the hypothesis that the direction of effect runs from low IQ to delinquency. The IQ-delinquency relation was robust after race, class, and observed test motivation were controlled statistically. Additionally, the effect of IQ was mediated by school performance for Black youth but not for White youth.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Lynam, D; Moffitt, T; Stouthamer-Loeber, M
Published Date
- May 1993
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 102 / 2
Start / End Page
- 187 - 196
PubMed ID
- 8315131
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1939-1846
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0021-843X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1037//0021-843x.102.2.187
Language
- eng