Abstract
Previous research has identified a number of cognitive variables that characterize delinquent youth. However, research has infrequently questioned whether social cognitive processing and content differ between delinquent and nondelinquent youth. Therefore, the aims of the work reported here were to (a) explore the linkages between attributions and affect and (b) compare the content of causal thinking among incarcerated delinquent youth and their nondelinquent peers. Study 1 investigated attributions for the emotions of anger, pride, and guilt among 26 incarcerated male adolescents. Relatively few causes were found for anger and guilt, but a larger variety of causes were cited for pride. A follow-up study then compared causal attributions of 56 incarcerated adolescents with those of 57 secondary school adolescents, both male and female, for the affect of pride. Incarcerated youth typically attributed feelings of pride to activities culturally appropriate for adults. In addition, females cited school success as a source of pride at twice the rate of males. The importance of this research for understanding and ameliorating the impact of typical life experiences on at-risk youth is discussed.
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