Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether any differences of dysfunctional impulsivity could be found between juveniles and juvenile delinquents, and whether self-instruction training has a positive effect in reducing dysfunctional impulsivity and in improving the responses in continuous performance test. One hundred fifty high school students and 159 juvenile delinquents in J area were tested on Dickman's impulsivity test. Based on the score of that test, 28, juvenile delinquents with high dysfunctional impulsivity were selected and randomly divided into two groups, i.e., self-instruction training group and control group. The two groups went through the continuous performance test(CPT). After the self-instruction training, Dickman's impulsivity test and CPT were re-administered. The results of the study were as follows: First, dysfunctional impulsivity of juvenile delinquents was higher than that of normal juveniles. Second, after self-instruction training, dysfunctional impulsivity of juvenile delinquents was decreased. Third, after self-instruction training, the responses of CPT(Hits, Omissions, Risk Taking) were improved. Finally, implications and limitations of this study were discussed.