Extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism and antisocial behavior in schoolgirls

Four groups of participants, ranging from 11- and 12-year-olds to 14- and 15-year-olds, were tested on the Junior P.Q., a new measure of extraversion (E), neuroticism (N), and psychoticism (P) in children, and on an anonymous self-report questionnaire of antisocial behavior (ASB). An objective measure of school naughtiness (Na) was also available. The results followed similar trends in each group and showed that ASB is positively related to E, N, and P; and Na to E and P. It is concluded that Eysenck’s theory of antisocial behavior is capable of predictions concerning the range of misbehavior engaged in by secondary school girls.