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 non-conforming, 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 fa..