Cognitive Capacities of Juvenile Violent, Nonviolent, and Sexual Offenders

Juvenile violent, nonviolent, and sexual offenders were compared across a broad range of intellectual, neuropsychological, and psychoeducational measures. No systematic group differences were noted, nor was cognitive status related to the severity of violent behavior. These findings cast doubt on the generalizability of previous investigations implicating cerebral dysfunction in juvenile delinquents.