Suchergebnisse

It is suggested that there is a close relationship between 2 near-classical conceptions of adolescent behavior: dual ambivalence & conflict (fighting) & criminal (primarily theft) types. It is hyp'ed that engagement in conflict is an expression of the need for security (the 1st of the choices in the dual ambivalence struggle), while engagement in criminal activity is an expression of the need for the adventure of growth (the 2nd of the choices involved in dual ambivalence). The subtle relation between psychol'al & cultural factors is pointed out. The data were collected in a larger res project on the adjustment of parolees from the Ill State Training Sch for Boys. S's (N= 48) provided data on peer groups in an interview 5 months after their release. Data about the marital status of the boys' parents & spatial moves of the fam were also obtained. 4 variables measured the need for security: (1) brokenness of parolees' homes, (2) geographical mobility of parolees, (3) responsiveness to the requests of parents, & (4) responsiveness to the requests of policemen. The need for security is seen as the independent variable producing involvement in conflict activities rather than in criminal activities. The dependent variable is measured in terms of the N's of conflict & criminal incidents experienced by the various groups with which the parolees interacted. The data suggest that the kinds of idiosyncratic experiences which are productive of relatively great insecurity for individuals influence Lc adolescent boys toward conflict rather than criminal activity. Conflict activity provides greater soc support than does criminal activity. Hence, conflict activity seems to represent the security-seeking end of the security-adventure ambivalence often said to be characteristic of adolescence. E. Weiman.