A comparative study on the neuropsychological status of delinquent and non-delinquent boys

Abstract

There exists a significant link between neuropsychological variation and delinquency. The present study is an attempt to differentiate the delinquents from the non-delinquents on the basis of the most commonly and clinically used neuropsychological measures so that an early identification of neuropsychological parameters in children can prevent delinquent outcomes. The sample consisted of 40 delinquent boys (mean age: 15.7 years) taken from an Observation Home situated at Ludhiana in the state of Punjab, India, and 40 non-delinquent boys (mean age: 15 years) attending a regular school. The neuropsychological examination of both groups was carried out by administering (1) the Standard Progressive Matrices Test, (2) the Bender- Gestalt Test and (3) the Stroop Color and Word Test. Significant group differences were found on non-verbal intelligence, visual motor performance and language function. Delinquents scored lower in the intelligence test, made extreme deviant reproductions of Bender Gestalt designs and could read fewer words than non-delinquents. The findings made it clear that the neuropsychological status of delinquents differs from that of non-delinquents. The results have implications for planning proper prevention programs for vulnerable children at an earlier age.

Keywords:

• neuropsychological status
• delinquency
• visual motor performance
• language
• inhibitory control