Female delinquent recidivism and the P > V sign on the WISC-R

Abstract

Examined the Performance-Verbal (P-V) discrepancy on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised as a predictor for recidivism among 78 adjudicated white female delinquents. The P greater than V sign was displayed significantly more frequently among recidivists than among nonrecidivists. No significant relationship was found between amount of P-V difference and number of offenses for which an individual may be adjudicated. The findings support the view that cognitive differences differentiate recidivists from nonrecidivists.