After reviewing the theoretical literature upon which the research was based (the human drive to master one's environment), the research methodology is described. It involved measuring various social-competence variables in groups of delinquent and nondelinquent youth. The study found that delinquents' self-perception of social competency skills was significantly less than that of nondelinquents. Further, the delinquents who had more serious delinquency histories had less of a sense of competence than delinquents with less serious histories (seriousness measured by number of offenses). Suggestions are offered for future research on social competence in delinquent youth.