Testing the Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential (ICAP) theory: what is the role of sex?

Abstract

Background: For decades, crime has been perceived as a predominantly male phenomenon. As a consequence, most criminological theories have focused on male offenders, often overlooking the possibility that female delinquency may not be adequately explained by the same theoretical models. The Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential (ICAP) theory is a malecentered framework that predicts delinquent behaviors based on antisocial attitudes. This study aims to assess wether the ICAP theory can effectively predict delinquency in both female and male samples. Additionally, it examines the moderation effect of participants’ sex in the relationship between antisocial attitudes and juvenile delinquency, distinguishing between violent and nonviolent offenses. 
Methods: The sample (N = 491) comprises participants recruited from a public school in the Center Region of Portugal and a forensic sample recruited from 4 Juvenile Detention Centers. Of the total participants, 43.4% of the participants are female and 56.6% are male adolescents and young adults. Delinquent behavior was assessed using the International SelfReport Delinquency 3 questionnaire (ISRD3), while antisocial attitudes were measured using the Antisocial Attitudes scale.
Results: Findings indicate that aggressive and antisystem attitudes significantly predict offending behavior. Further, participants’ sex moderates the relationship between antisocial attitudes and nonviolent offenses, but not violent offenses.
Conclusions: Present findings showed that the theory effectively predicts delinquency through aggressive and antisystem attitudes. However, its applicability to female offenders may require adjustments. Future research should explore additional factors influencing female delinquency.