Aggression Behaviour of Delinquent and Non-Delinquent Adolescents

Abstract

Aims: To measure the level of aggressive behaviour and to ascertain the effect of domicile on aggressive behaviour of delinquent and non-delinquent adolescents. Study Design: Present comparative study assessed the aggressive behaviour of delinquent and non-delinquent adolescents. Place and Duration of Study: Delinquent adolescents (Observation Homes at Bangalore, Mysore, Shimoga and Dharwad cities of Karnataka State) and non-delinquent adolescents (Karnatak Public High School, Karnatak College, K E Board School and Basel Mission High School located in Dharwad City of Karnataka State), between August 2005 and September 2007. Methodology: Delinquent adolescents of 14-18 years were selected from Observation Homes following the purposive sampling technique. In selecting the non-delinquent adolescents also the same procedure was followed. Aggression scale developed by Pal and Naqvi (1986) was used to get information regarding the subjects’ aggressive behaviour. The scale was administered individually and responses were recorded by the researcher carefully. Sample: We included 321 subjects comprising of delinquent and non-delinquent male adolescents. Only male subjects were included for the study due to paucity of female delinquent adolescents to take up for a major research. Of the 321 adolescents, 150 were delinquent adolescents and 171 were non-delinquent adolescents. In the delinquent adolescents group the male adolescents who had committed cognizable offenses and conformed cases under Indian Penal Code (IPC) were selected. For the comparative non-delinquent groups the adolescents studying from 8th grade to II pre-university course and having no any delinquent background were selected. Results: After calculating mean and SD for the groups, ‘t’ analyses was carried out. ‘t’ analysis revealed significant difference between both the groups and it was found that the delinquent adolescents have higher level of aggression than the non-delinquent adolescents. Results related to domicile effect on aggression revealed that there was no significant difference between the rural and the urban delinquent adolescents. However, mean scores difference between the rural and the urban non-delinquent adolescents were found to be larger. Further, ‘t’ analysis revealed significant higher level of aggressive behaviour among rural non-delinquent adolescents. Conclusion: The aggressive behavior was found to be higher among the delinquent adolescents than the non-delinquent adolescents. This is in line with the theoretical assumption of Glueck and Glueck [1950], Friedlander [1945], Johnson [1996] and recent research findings. In relation to domicile it was found that aggression behaviour was found to be of similar level among delinquent adolescents, but among the non-delinquent adolescents only the rural adolescents were found to be possessing higher level of aggression than the urban adolescents. This contradictory result need further research investigation with larger sample size. Hence, the delinquent adolescents need psychological treatment and that should be the major part of the rehabilitation process. Even for the non-delinquent adolescents encouraging of positive emotions through life skills training is an integral part of our educational system.