Comparison of Brain-Behavioral Systems in Normal and Delinquent Adolescents

Criminal activity is a spreading social phenomenon that occurs in different forms in the community. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to this event. The aim of this study was comparison of the brain-behavioral systems in normal and delinquent adolescents in Ardebil city, Iran. In this scientific-comparative study statistic population was all the adolescents of Ardabil city (n=28,170) in 2014. Using systematic-random sampling method, 60 normal and 60 delinquent adolescents were selected. Data were collected using brain-behavioral systems’ questionnaire of Gary Wilson approach. Obtained results data subjected to statistical analysis by SPSS using Multivariable variance (MANOVA) and regression analysis. Results showed that active avoidance, passive avoidance, turn off (silence) avoidance, and opposition (avoidance) systems are different between normal and delinquent adolescents (p<0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in tendency and opposition (avoidance) systems of normal and delinquent adolescents. Furthermore, the results of regression analysis showed that 27 percent of criminal variances in adolescents are determined by variables of brain-behavioral systems. According to the Beta coefficient values, active avoidance and opposition (avoidance) systems positively predict the crimes and passive avoidance system negatively predict the crimes in adolescents. Findings show that brain-behavioral systems’ variables have strong impact on the scale of delinquency in adolescents. In this regard psychological training could be effective in modifying personality characteristics and delinquency in adolescents.