The authors tested the hypothesis that the causal relations from knowledge structures on social rules to socially delinquent behavior tendencies (SDBT) are mediated by self-serving cognitive distortion (CD). In addition, evaluation of the configuration invariance of the causal relations between the original (OV: based on Yoshizawa & Yoshida, 2003b) and simplified (SV) versions of the Knowledge Structures Measure was done. Knowledge structures were assessed by participants' means of applying social rules to interpersonal conflict situations based upon three indices: the inter-independence of social rules, the consistency of these rules, and their general appropriateness. SV was developed by excluding the rule generating procedure. Results indicated that both the causal relations from knowledge structures by OV to SDBT, and the mediational process of CD were partially supported. Comparison between the two measures indicated that simplification of Knowledge Structures Measure was functionally validated in predicting CD and SDBT. Discussion of the improvements attained by the simplified version, and of some problems raised by it, focusing on the causal relationship between this measure and SDBT, was conducted.
