Explaining the relation between IQ and delinquency: Class, race, test motivation, school failure, or self-control?
Abstract
An inverse relation between IQ and delinquency has been well established, but the direction of effect remains to be specified. Differing explanatory accounts of the relation were empirically examined in the present study using data on 13-year-old boys involved in a high-risk longitudinal study. Accounts that interpreted the relation as spurious or that posited that delinquency-related factors lead to low IQ scores received no support; findings were most consistent with the hypothesis that the direction of effect runs from low IQ to delinquency. The IQ-delinquency relation was robust after race, class, and observed test motivation were controlled statistically. Additionally, the effect of IQ was mediated by school performance for Black youth but not for White youth.
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Childhood IQ was entered since a significant relationship between IQ and SUD has been reported.
“Childhood IQ was entered since a significant relationship between IQ and SUD has been reported (33).”
From Age of methylphenidate treatment initiation in children with ADHD and later substance abuse: prospective follow-up into adulthood. (2008) · cites this paper as [33]
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- Authors
- Lynam, D., Moffitt, T., & Stouthamer-Loeber, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology
- Published
- 1993-05
- Volume
- 102
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 187-196
- ISSN
- 0021-843X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1846
- OpenAlex
- W2009784910
- Cited by
- 533
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 35
- FWCI
- 15.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2006-07-10)
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5r01mh045548-03)
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH45548)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Education › Education Discipline and Inequality
- Keywords
- juvenile delinquency, intelligence, self-control, school failure, test-taking motivation, racial differences, socioeconomic class, mediation, Black youth, white youth, high-risk adolescents, direction of effect
- MeSH terms
- Achievement, Psychology, Adolescent, Black or African American, Female, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Intelligence, Juvenile Delinquency, Male, Social Class, White People, Racial Groups
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