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Delinquent Beliefs – Rochester Youth Development Study
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About Delinquent Beliefs – Rochester Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Delinquent Beliefs – Rochester Youth Development Study
Author Details
Terence P. Thornberry, Alan J. Lizotte, Marvin D. Krohn, Margaret Farnworth, and Sung Joon Jang
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Delinquent Beliefs scale, developed as part of the Rochester Youth Development Study (RYDS) by Terence P. Thornberry, Alan J. Lizotte, Marvin D. Krohn, Margaret Farnworth, and Sung Joon Jang in 1994, is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure youths’ beliefs about the acceptability of delinquent behaviors. The RYDS, initiated in 1986 by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is a longitudinal study examining the causes and consequences of delinquency and drug use among 1,000 adolescents in Rochester, New York, starting in grades 7-8 (1988) and followed into adulthood. The Delinquent Beliefs scale specifically assesses attitudes that justify or normalize delinquent acts, such as theft, vandalism, or violence, to understand their role in the onset and persistence of delinquent behavior.
The scale comprises 10 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “strongly disagree” to 4 = “strongly agree”), evaluating the extent to which respondents believe delinquent behaviors are acceptable (e.g., “It’s okay to steal if you need something”). Higher scores (range: 10-40) indicate stronger endorsement of delinquency-justifying beliefs. The scale was designed to test interactional theory, which posits reciprocal relationships among delinquent beliefs, peer associations, and delinquent behavior. Validated in a diverse urban sample over-representing high-risk youth, it is particularly suited for studying social-cognitive factors in delinquency.
Psychologists, criminologists, and researchers use the Delinquent Beliefs scale to identify cognitive precursors to delinquency, inform prevention programs, and evaluate interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy or school-based initiatives. Its high internal consistency and longitudinal validation make it a robust tool, though its English-only availability and focus on urban youth limit broader applicability.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the Delinquent Beliefs scale from RYDS publications, such as Thornberry et al. (1994) in Criminology or ICPSR archives (e.g., ICPSR35167), ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses beliefs about delinquent behaviors to understand risk factors, emphasizing confidentiality.
- Provide instructions, asking respondents to rate each of the 10 items based on their agreement with statements justifying delinquency, using the 4-point scale, typically reflecting current attitudes.
- Approximate time for completion is about 5-7 minutes, given its concise format.
- Administer in a classroom, research lab, or interview setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment to encourage honest responses.
Reliability and Validity
The Delinquent Beliefs scale exhibits strong psychometric properties. Internal consistency is high, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84, indicating robust item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not explicitly reported but is inferred to be adequate based on its use in the longitudinal RYDS, which maintained high retention (mean = 91%).
Convergent validity is supported by strong correlations with related constructs, such as delinquent peer associations (r ≈ 0.50-0.65) and self-reported delinquency, as shown in Thornberry et al. (1994). The scale’s role in testing interactional theory confirms its link to delinquent behavior via peer reinforcement. Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, such as internalizing problems (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict delinquent outcomes, including serious and violent offending, and its sensitivity to changes in prevention programs. Factor analyses support a unidimensional structure, reinforcing its focus on delinquency-justifying beliefs. These properties affirm the scale’s reliability and validity for developmental criminology research.
Available Versions
08-Items
Reference
Thornberry, T. P., Lizotte, A. J., Krohn, M. D., Farnworth, M., & Jang, S. J. (1994). Delinquent peers, beliefs, and delinquent behavior: A longitudinal test of interactional theory. Criminology, 32(1), 47-83.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Delinquent Beliefs scale measure?
It measures beliefs about the acceptability of delinquent behaviors.
Who can use the scale?
Researchers, psychologists, and criminologists studying youth delinquency.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 5-7 minutes.
Is the scale specific to urban youth?
Yes, it was validated in a diverse urban sample of grades 7-8 students.
Can the scale inform delinquency prevention?
Yes, it identifies beliefs for targeted interventions like CBT or school programs.
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