Abstract
The current research project was designed to expand the literature available on adolescent cooperation with authorities (parents, teachers, and police) in the light of Emler’s attitudinal theory of delinquency and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. In the light of these theories and previous research a model of paths to cooperative intentions was proposed. Specifically, it was expected that negative experiences with authorities will produce negative attitudes to authorities and negative subjective norms regarding cooperation with authorities. In turn these negative attitudes and subjective norms will result in lower intentions to cooperate with authorities. Furthermore, it was expected that negative attitudes to authorities will result in higher levels of delinquency, which will lead to higher intention to act as a vigilante and lower intentions to cooperate. The research project was divided into four studies. The first study evaluated the paths from attitudes and norms to cooperation intentions. The second study evaluated the addition of experiences with authorities into the model. Finally, the remaining two studies evaluated the model among a more diverse sample of adolescents. Overall, the current research does support the use of the TPB and Emler’s attitudinal theory of delinquency in predicting intentions to cooperate with authorities. However, it suggests mixed results regarding my interpretation of the theories. Further empirical quantitative and qualitative research is required in order to accept or reject the model proposed within this research. Nonetheless, the findings of the current research may be applied for the purpose of preventing antisocial behaviour and promoting cooperation with authorities.