Goal‐setting and reputation enhancement: Behavioural choices among delinquent, at‐risk and not at‐risk adolescents

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationships among goal‐setting, reputation enhancement (striving to project a nonconforming, tough image) and delinquent behaviour in adolescents. Methods. Participants were 80 incarcerated delinquent, 90 at‐risk and 90 not at‐risk adolescent males, ranging in age from 12 to 18 years, who completed four scales: the Adapted Self‐Report Delinquency Scale, the Importance of Goals Scale, the Reputation Enhancement Scale, and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale. Results. Four second‐order factors (self‐reported delinquency, self‐presentation, conforming reputation, non‐conforming reputation) were derived from the 31 first‐order factors of the four scales. A series of multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) and univariate F tests were then performed on each of the four sets of dependent variables which revealed that the goals of delinquent and at‐risk participants were more congruent with a non‐conforming reputation, compared to those of the not at‐risk participants who set goals which were more congruent with a conforming reputation. Conclusions. The integration of goal‐setting theory and reputation enhancement theory tested in this research provides an alternative analysis of delinquency using a social‐psychological approach. Identification of the phenomenon of nonconforming reputation enhancement among delinquent and at‐risk adolescents highlights the necessity to provide a differentiated intervention for working with these particular young people.