Elsevier

Behavior Therapy

Volume 27, Issue 3, Summer 1996, Pages 373-390
Behavior Therapy

Original Research
Deviancy training in male adolescent friendships*

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(96)80023-2Get rights and content

The conversations of 186 adolescent boys (13 to 14 years old) and their friends were videotaped and analyzed to understand the processes of influence associated with antisocial behavior. The videotaped discussions were coded with a system that captured the general topics (Normative vs. Rule-Breaking) as well as the reactions of the listener (Laugh vs. Pause). Matching law analyses confirmed a linear relationship between the dyadic rate of Rule-Breaking talk and contingent positive reactions. Sequential analyses revealed a statistically reliable reciprocal pattern between Rule-Breaking talk and Laugh in the delinquent (both boys arrested) dyads, whereas in the mixed (one arrested) and nondelinquent (neither arrested) dyads, reciprocation occurred between Normative talk and Laugh. Longitudinal analyses of the boys' behavior over the ensuing 2 years revealed that the deviancy training sequence was prognostic of increases in self-reported delinquent behavior, even after controlling for prior levels of delinquency. It appears that discussions of deviancy play a critical role in organizing positive affective exchanges, thereby establishing problem behavior as a common ground activity that potentially exacerbates adolescent social maladjustment. These findings are discussed with respect to developmental theory and intervention science.

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  • Cited by (0)

    *

    This research was supported by grant R01 DA07031 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to the first author; by grant R37940 from the Center for Studies of Violent Behavior and Traumatic Stress, NIMH, U.S. PHS to the fourth author; and by grant P50 MH46690 from the Prevention Research Branch, NIMH, U.S. PHS to John B. Ried. Jovonna Poe, Charles Wetherald, Cindy Li, and Pam Griesler are gratefully appreciated for their efforts in coding the videotapes using the Topic Code. Charles Stevens, Robert Lady, and Robert Hammond are acknowledged for their long-standing support for Oregon Social Learning Center's research through their school district's collaboration. Jan Mustoe has been indispensable in her effort in preparing the manuscript for publication.

    1

    Thomas J. Dishion, Oregon Social Learning Center, Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Oregon.

    2

    Kathleen Spracklen, Oregon Social Learning Center.

    3

    David W. Andrews (now at the Department of Family Relations and Human Development, The Ohio State University).

    4

    Gerald R. Patterson, Oregon Social Learning Center.

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