Disparity between the perceptions toward actual and preferred classroom environment among Japanese juvenile delinquents

Abstract

This paper deals with the differences in the perception towards classroom environments between secondary students and juvenile delinquents in Japan. The actual and preferred forms of the original classroom environment scale were both administered to 121 students from secondary school, and 87 correctional institution residents. The results were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA with two-by-two factorial design. The independent variables are Forms (Actual/Preferred) and Groups (Secondary school students/Delinquent students). Statistically significant differences were found between students' actual and preferred environment on Teacher Support, Sense of Isolation, Deviation from Class, and Order & Organization. Concerning Teacher Support, juvenile delinquents reported that they are asking closer relationship with a teacher more than non-delinquents. Also it was shown that the delinquent students felt the stronger pressure of the Achievement Responsibility. These findings are consistent with the arguments of several major research based on Hunt's (1975) Person-Environment fit theory (Fraser & Fisher, 1983; Stern, 1970), and finally lead to the conclusion that it is beneficial to measure the delinquent students' perceptions of actual and preferred classroom environment to restrain them from misconduct and maladjustment to school.