Neuropsychological signs associated with cognitive styles in young offenders.

Abstract

This study provides evidence suggesting that male Young Offenders (YOs) (n = 40) can be significantly discriminated from male Non-Young Offenders (NYOs) (n = 40) on the basis of various neuropsychological measures of executive functioning. More specifically, YOs had lower factor scores than NYOs on measures reflecting higher order cognitive functioning ($r\sp2$ =.17), verbal fluency ($r\sp-$ =.07), cognitive flexibility ($r\sp2$ =.05), and spatial/perceptual functioning ($r\sp2$ =.04). A linear discriminant function ($r\sp2$ =.33) provided an overall classification hit rate of 73.75%. Factor scores of Property offenders derived from demographic variables were moderately correlated (r = $-$.48) with higher order cognitive factor scores, suggesting that greater cognitive deficits are associated with a poorer socialization outcome, more frequent and versatile criminal activity, and a greater dependence on alcohol and drugs. No significant correlations were noted for Violent or Sexual offenders, suggesting these type of offenders did not display any cognitive deficits per se. Based on these findings, a neuropsychologically evidence-based developmental hypothesis of criminality is proposed.