Skip to main content
Log in

The Development and Impact of Self-Report Measures of Crime and Delinquency

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. Interestingly, Porterfield had challenged the discipline to be more creative in using their imagination in devising methods by which to study sociological phenomena in his book entitled Creative Factors in Scientific Research (1941).

References

  • Achenbach TM (1992) Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist/2–3 and 1992 profile. University of Vermont, Burlington

    Google Scholar 

  • Agnew R (1985) A revised strain theory of delinquency. Soc Forces 64:151–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Agnew R (2006) Pressured into crime: an overview of general strain theory. Roxbury, Los Angeles

    Google Scholar 

  • Akers RL (1964) Socio-economic status and delinquent behavior: a retest. J Res Crime Delinq 1:38–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akers RL (1998) Social learning and social structure: a general theory of crime and deviance. Northeastern University Press, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Akers RL, Krohn MD, Lanza-Kaduce L, Radosevich M (1979) Social learning and deviant behavior: a specific test of a general theory. Am Sociol Rev 44:636–655

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aquilino WS (1994) Interview mode effects in surveys of drug and alcohol use. Public Opin Q 58:210–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aquilino WS, LoSciuto LA (1990) Effects of interview mode on self-reported drug use. Public Opin Q 54:362–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Black D, Reiss AJ (1970) Police control of juveniles. Am Sociol Rev 35:63–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blumstein AJ, Cohen J, Roth J, Visher CA (1986) Criminal careers and “career criminals”. National Academy Press, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosick SJ (2009) Operationalizing crime over the life course. Crime Delinq 55:472–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brame R, Fagan J, Piquero AR, Schubert CA, Steinberg L (2004) Criminal careers of serious delinquents in two cities. Youth Violence Juv Justice 2:256–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bushway SD, Thornberry TP, Krohn MD (2003) Desistance as a developmental process: a comparison of static and dynamic approaches. J Quant Criminol 19:129–153

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark JP, Wenninger EP (1962) Socio-economic class and area as correlates of illegal behavior among juveniles. Am Sociol Rev 27:826–834

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dentler RA, Monroe LJ (1961) Social correlates of early adolescent theft. Am Sociol Rev 26:733–743

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elder GH (1998) The life course as developmental theory. Child Dev 69:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott DS, Ageton SS (1980) Reconciling race and class differences in self-reported and official estimates of delinquency. Am Sociol Rev 45:95–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott DS, Huizinga D, Ageton SS (1985) Explaining delinquency and drug use. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills

    Google Scholar 

  • Empey LT, Erickson ML (1966) Hidden delinquency and social status. Soc Forces 44:546–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erickson ML, Empey LT (1963) Court records, undetected delinquency, and decision-making. J Crim Law Criminol Police Sci 54:456–469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farrington DP, Loeber R, Stouthamer-Loeber M, Van Kammen WB, Schmidt L (1996) Self-reported delinquency and a combined delinquency seriousness scale based on boys, mothers, and teachers: concurrent and predictive validity for African-American and Caucasians. Criminology 34:493–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferdinand TN, Luchterhand EG (1970) Inner city youth, the police, the juvenile court, and justice. Soc Problems 17:510–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons DC (1976) Delinquent behavior, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons DC (1979) The criminological enterprise: theories and perspectives. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons DC, Krohn MD (1991) Delinquent behavior, 5th edn. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson CL, Miller JM, Jennings WG, Swatt M, Gover A (2009) Using propensity score matching to understand the relationship between gang membership and violent victimization: a research note. Justice Q 26:1745–9109

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson CL, Ward JT, Wright JP, Beaver KM, Delisi M (2010) Where does gender fit in the measurement of self-control? Crim Justice Behav 37:883–903

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gold M (1966) Undetected delinquent behavior. J Res Crime Delinq 3:27–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gold M (1970) Delinquent behavior in an American city. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, Belmont

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldman N (1963) The differential selection of juvenile offenders for court appearance. National Council on Crime and Delinquency, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Gottfredson MR, Hirschi T (1990) A general theory of crime. Stanford University Press, Stanford

    Google Scholar 

  • Hickman MJ, Piquero NL, Piquero AR (2004) The validity of Niederhoffer’s cynicism scale. J Crim Justice 32:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hindelang MJ, Hirschi T, Weis JG (1979) Correlates of delinquency: the illusion of discrepancy between self-report and official measures. Am Sociol Rev 44:995–1014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hindelang MJ, Hirschi T, Weis JG (1981) Measuring delinquency. Sage Publications, Beverly Hills

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschi T (1969) Causes of delinquency. University of California Press, Berkley

    Google Scholar 

  • Huizinga D, Elliott DS (1986) Reassessing the reliability and validity of self-report delinquent measures. J Quant Criminol 2:293–327

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson R (1979) Juvenile delinquency and its origins. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan HB (1972) Toward a general theory of psychosocial deviance: the case of aggressive behavior. Soc Sci Med 6:593–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirk DS (2006) Examining the divergence across self-report and official data sources on inferences about the adolescent life-course of crime. J Quant Criminol 22:107–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kornhauser R (1978) Social sources of delinquency: an appraisal of analytic models. University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Krisberg B, Austin J (1978) The children of Ishmael: critical perspectives on juvenile justice. Mayfield, Palo Alto

    Google Scholar 

  • Krohn MD, Massey JL (1980) Social control and delinquent behavior: an examination of the elements of the social bond. Sociol Q 21:529–544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krohn MD, Waldo GP, Chiricos TG (1974) Self-reported delinquency: a comparison of structured interviews and self-administered checklists. J Crim Law Criminol 65:545–553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krohn MD, Thornberry TP, Bell K, Lizotte A, Phillips M (Forthcoming) Self-report surveys within longitudinal panel designs. In: Gadd D (ed) Sage handbook on criminological research, Sage Publications, Los Angeles

  • Lauritsen JL (1998) The age-crime debate: assessing the limits of longitudinal self-report data. Soc Forces 76:1–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Layton-MacKenzie D, De Li S (2002) The impact of formal and informal social controls on the criminal activities of probationers. J Res Crime Delinq 39:243–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Blanc M (1989) Designing a self-report instrument for the study of the development of offending from childhood to adulthood: issues and problems. In: Klein M (ed) Cross-national research in self-reported crime and delinquency. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Los Angeles

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemert EM (1951) Social pathology. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Liska AE, Tausig M (1979) Theoretical interpretations of social class and racial differentials in legal decision-making for juveniles. Sociol Q 20:197–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber R, Stouthamer-Loeber M, Van Kammen WB, Farrington DP (1989) Development of a new measure of self-reported antisocial behavior for young children: prevalence and reliability. In: Klein M (ed) Cross-national research in self-reported crime and delinquency. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Los Angeles

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxfield MG, Weiler BL, Widom CS (2000) Comparing self-reports and official records of arrests. J Quant Criminol 16:87–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menard S, Elliott DS (1993) Data set comparability and short-term trends in crime and delinquency. J Crim Justice 21:433–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nettler G (1978) Explaining crime, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nye FI (1958) Family relationships and delinquent behavior. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nye FI, Short JF, Olson VJ (1958) Socioeconomic status and delinquent behavior. In: Nye FI (ed) Family relationships and delinquent behavior. Wiley, New York, pp 23–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Osgood DW, McMorris BJ, Potenza MT (2002) Analyzing multiple-item measures of crime and deviance I: item response theory scaling. J Quant Criminol 18:267–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park RE, Burgess EW (1925) The city. University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Paternoster R, Piquero A (1995) Reconceptualizing deterrence: an empirical test of personal and vicarious experiences. J Res Crime Delinq 32:251–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piliavin I, Briar S (1964) Police encounters with juveniles. Am J Sociol 70:206–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piquero AR, MacIntosh R, Hickman M (2001) Applying Rasch modeling to the validity of a control balance scale. J Crim Justice 29:493–505

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piquero AR, MacIntosh R, Hickman M (2002) The validity of a self-report delinquency scale: comparison across gender, age, race. Sociol Methods Res 30:492–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piquero AR, Farrington D, Blumstein A (2007) Key issues in criminal career research: new analyses of the Cambridge study in delinquent development. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Pogarsky G (2009) Chapter 13: deterrence and decision making: research questions and theoretical refinements. In: Krohn MD, Lizotte A, Hall G (eds) Handbook on crime and delinquency. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Porterfield AL (1941) Creative factors in scientific research. Seeman Printery, Durham

    Google Scholar 

  • Porterfield AL (1943) Delinquency and its outcome in court and college. Am J Sociol 49:199–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raudenbush S, Johnson C, Sampson RJ (2003) A multivariate, multilevel Rasch model with application to self-reported criminal behavior. Sociol Methodol 33:169–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbaum P, Rubin DB (1983) Reducing bias in observational studies using subclassification on the propensity score. J Am Stat Assoc 79:516–524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbaum PR, Rubin DB (1985) Constructing a control group using multivariate matched sampling methods that incorporate the propensity score. Am Stat 39:33–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saltzman LE, Paternoster R, Waldo GP, Chiricos TG (1982) Deterrent and experiential effects: the problem of causal order in perceptual deterrence research. Crime Delinq 19:172–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sampson RJ, Laub HJ (2003) Life-course desisters? Trajectories of crime among delinquent boys followed to age 70. Criminology 41:319–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sellin T (1931) The basis of a crime index. J Crim Law Criminol 22:335–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw C, McKay H (1942) Juvenile delinquency in urban areas. University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Short JF (1957) Differential association and delinquency. Soc Probl 4:233–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slocum W, Stone CL (1963) Family culture patterns and delinquent-type behavior. Marriage Fam Living 25:202–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland EH (1934) Principles of criminology, 2nd edn. J. B. Lippincott, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland EH (1939) Principles of criminology, 3rd edn. J. B. Lippincott, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Tannenbaum F (1938) Crime and the community. Ginn and Co., Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas CW, Bishop DM (1984) The effects of formal and informal sanctions on delinquency: a longitudinal comparison of labeling and deterrence theories. J Quant Criminol 75:1222–1245

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornberry TP (1973) Race, socioeconomic status and sentencing in the juvenile justice system. J Crim Law Criminol 64:90–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornberry TP (1989) Panel effects and the use of self-reported measures of delinquency in longitudinal studies. In: Klein M (ed) Cross-national research in self-reported crime and delinquency. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Los Angeles, pp 347–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornberry TP, Farnworth M (1982) Social correlates of criminal involvement: further evidence on the relationship between social status and criminal behavior. Am Sociol Rev 47:505–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornberry TP, Krohn MD (2000) The self-report method for measuring delinquency and crime. In: Duffee D, Crutchfield R, Mastrofski S, Mazerolle L, McDowall D (eds) Criminal justice 2000 (Vol. 4): measurement and analysis of crime and justice. National Institute of Justice, Washington, pp 33–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornberry TP, Krohn MD (2003) Comparison of self-report and official data for measuring crime. In: Pepper JV, Petrie CV (eds) Measurement problems in criminal justice research: workshop summary. National Academies Press, Washington, pp 43–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Tourangeau R, Smith TW (1996) Asking sensitive questions: the impact of data collection, mode, question format, and question context. Public Opin Q 60:275–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner C, Lessler J, Devore J (1992) Effects of mode of administration and wording on reporting of drug use. In: Turner C, Lessler J, Gfroerer J (eds) Survey measurement of drug use: methodological studies. US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, pp 177–219

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaz E (1966) Self reported juvenile delinquency and social status. Can Corrections 8:20–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Voss H (1966) Socio-economic status and reported delinquent behavior. Soc Probl 13:314–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waldo GP, Chiricos TG (1972) Perceived penal sanction and self-reported criminality: a neglected approach to deterrence research. Soc Probl 19:522–540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wellford C (1975) Labeling theory and criminology: an assessment. Soc Probl 22(3):332–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells L (1978) Theories of deviance and the self-concept. Soc Psychol 41:189–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells L, Rankin J (1983) Self-concept as a mediating factor in delinquency. Soc Psychol Q 46:11–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams J, Gold M (1972) From delinquent behavior to official delinquency. Soc Probl 20(2):209–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams F, McShane M (2010) Criminological theory, 5th edn. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marvin D. Krohn.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Krohn, M.D., Thornberry, T.P., Gibson, C.L. et al. The Development and Impact of Self-Report Measures of Crime and Delinquency. J Quant Criminol 26, 509–525 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10940-010-9119-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10940-010-9119-1

Keywords

Navigation