Intelligence, perceptual motor ability and language function of delinquents: An empirical enquiry into their neuropsychology

Pages: 1551-1554
Nisha Chhabra and Suninder Tung (Department of Psychology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab)

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 100 delinquent boys (mean age: 15.7 years) taken from an Observation Home situated at Ludhiana in the state of Punjab, India, and 100 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.