There is no simple answer to the question of whether delinquents have low or high self-esteem. Underlying the apparent contradictions in delinquency research is the assumption of stability. Cohen's delinquent subculture and labeling implies that the delinquent identity is a fixed one. It was Sykes and Matza who in 1957, pointed out that this need not necessarily be so. They argued that there are delinquents who experience shame and guilt as well as admiration and respect for law-abiding persons.
Delinquency is therefore situational, depending on a particular time, place and setting.
The first study aims to establish whether delinquents reverse conventional norms as postulated by Cohen's subcultural theory. Hence the main hypothesis of the study is that the norms of delinquents are indeed the reverse of the conventional. The other hypothesis is that delinquents would have higher identification with gang members than members of other social groups in the school. 339 male and female students between ages of 14 and 16 participated in the study. Delinquents and non delinquents are identified by a thirteen item self-report behavioral checklist .