Theories of Juvenile Delinquency

Theories of Juvenile
Delinquency




1





























Theories of Juvenile
Delinquency
Strayer University
Professor – Lori Baggot
Assignment #3
CRJ 180
Online Summer 2012
Felicia McCaw


Theories of Juvenile
Delinquency
2



ABSTRACT


Youth and Juvenile Delinquency is one of the problems of today’s society. Combating delinquency is the goal of all and utilizing theories for addressing the disturbing behavioral patterns of violence exhibited by these youth requires patience, kindness and enduring consistent help. Theories utilized are Choice, Routine Activities Theory, Lombroso’s Atavism Theory, Sheldon’s Somatotype Theory, Psychoanalytic Approach, Learning Theory – Classical Conditioning and Modeling, Operant Conditioning Theory, Social Learning Theory, Strain Theory, Labeling Theory, Social Control Theory aka Social Bond Theory and Merton’s Strain Theory.





















Theories of Juvenile
Delinquency
3

One of the problems of youth is the issue of Juvenile Delinquency. Rising steadily are acts of violence, rebellion, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping, forcible sex, aggravated assault, simple assault, non-forcible sex, robbery, larceny and vandalism. As the years past, the inability to control or stop juvenile delinquency is ever the concern of parents of youth, police, teachers, counselors and friends to try to alter behavioral patterns that continue to erode into acts of deviance.
Before attempting to determine the cause of behavior consideration has to be given to the background, area of location, familial pattern and home life. The levels of variables that affect a youth growing up is important as well as the ability to interact without violence and amiability. Therefore comes the exploration of theories of juvenile delinquency which are studies of youth to try to explain delinquency, alterations of behavioral patterns from normal to abnormal and a possible way to address and halt these detrimental negative behaviors.
Choice Theory is one of the theories used to help deal with understanding troubled youth. This theory is based on the realization that behavior is the core of our existence and is driven by five needs. Also, that individuals that commit acts of criminality fulfill a need to make a rational choice to do so by weighing the risks and benefits. Further it is also termed Rational Choice Theory to support the idea that a choice was made to act on doing a criminal act.
Routine Activities Theory is based on rational choice and contends that motivation is a factor that leads to committance of crimes and contributes to a continual amount of offenders. Deterrence Theory results from Choice Theory and based upon this juveniles commit crimes because they make a conscious choice to do so and based on this choice is the perceived risks

Theories of Juvenile
Delinquency
4


and benefits of committing this act of delinquency. Morphological Approach is the oldest of biological theories of crime and reflects that criminals are viewed as biologically inferior to non-criminals.
Lombroso’s Atavism Theory is based on the idea that some individuals are born criminals. After examining a skull and finding a depression that should have been a protrusion this allowed conclusions to be drawn that the brains of criminals were biological throwbacks to primitive man, making criminals both more aggressive and savage and had atavistic anomalies.
Sheldon’s Somatotype Theory is a theory based on linking a physical appearance to delinquency. Focusing on somatotype (body type) as the link to delinquency he believes that a difference existed between the somatotypes of delinquents and non-delinquents. Sheldon identified three somatotypes (1) endomorph, (2) mesomorph and (3) ectomorph.
Psychoanalytic Approach Theory is a theory developed by Sigmund Freud and based on his thought an individual’s personality is formed early in childhood and that as the child develops a three-part personality structure is formed, called in turn: id, ego, and the superego.
Learning Theory consist of two methods (1) Classical Conditioning, and (2) Modeling and reflects that both require a change in pattern of thought and a new required response.
(1) Classical Conditioning consists of learning by connecting a stimulus with a response and is relatively close to Pavlov experiment with a dog.



Theories of Juvenile
Delinquency
5

(2) Modeling consists of learning delinquent behavior by imagery portrayed by another person, parents, peers, siblings, media and others. Focusing on the aspects of aggression and relationships this behavior is easily learned, copied and portrayed when rewarded.
Operant Conditioning Theory is based on the work of B.F. Skinner and deals with involuntary reactions/anxiety to stimuli with focus on voluntary reactions. Behavior that involves delinquent activity is controlled by the consequences of that behavior.
Social Learning Theory is based upon how an individual conforms and accepts given rules, laws, and mores of society. Positive role models within the home and community allow the individual to assimilate positive ways of achieving goals and if violence is in the home then the probability exists that a youth will lean toward violence if this is an acceptable option in their mind or if in a positive environment they will lean toward positivism and non-criminal activity.
Strain Theory states that the ability to obtain goals is hindered and prevents them from obtaining them in a legitimate way and enables the individuals to find illegitimate ways of achieving his/her goals. Five modes of adaption are:
1. Conformity
2. Innovation
3. Ritualism
4. Retreatism
5. Rebellion

The Labeling Theory focuses on defining an individual as a criminal or non-criminal.
When a person is labeled as a criminal by the justice system and society that person identifies





Theories of Juvenile
Delinquency
6

himself as a criminal. Another driving factor of the Labeling Theory is that individuals will look for reactions that their behavior receives from others and once labeled he becomes a social outcast and begins to rebel.
Social Control Theory also known as the Social Bond Theory reflects there are several different bonds that an individual must make that will determine whether or not she/he will commit criminal offenses.
1. Attachment – meaning that socialization of an individual depends on an individual’s interest in another human being.

2. Commitment – meaning that a lack of commitment towards mores and social laws can lead to delinquent behavior.

3. The third bond that must be made is involvement.
4. The 4th and final bond that must be made is belief.
Based on Merton’s Strain Theory and the increased acts of criminality of juveniles this reflects that poverty and desires for material wealth are increased. Because youth and poor members of society have less access to education and jobs the urge to commit acts of crimes is almost like instant gratification. Being blocked in all areas leads youth to commit acts out of the ordinary, e.g., sexual acts, attempted robbery, theft, kidnapping, conformity to gang’s rites, rituals which include accepting racial bias as a way of life and feeling that violence exhibited toward another race is acceptable. Resentment, jealously, hatred of those better off are emotional states that are reflections of the block theory and realizations that they will never have nothing…causes extreme acts of violence and allegiance with others to commit and assimilate patterns of criminality.
Theories of Juvenile
Delinquency
7

The Justice System is in my opinion being a little lax of late and based on observing of charges rendered they are given light sentences that an adult would be serving years for in an institution. Because of their youth and tendency to be gullible, trackable and easily manipulated they should be sentenced fairly but with the same procedure as stipulated in statutes for dealing with juveniles because their behavior is a state of emulation and is reflective of the learning theory enacted.












BIBLIOGRAPHY

General Strain Theory, http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_strain_theory, July 21, 2012.
Choice Theory, http:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choice_theory, July 21, 2012.
Jones, Kristina. “Theories of Juvenile Delinquency”, Yahoo! Voices,
http://voices.yahoo.com/theories-juvenile-delinquency-214245.html , July 21, 2012.

Taylor, Robert W & Fritsch, Eric J., Juvenile Justice Policies, Programs and Practices. Boston: McGraw–Hill Learning Solutions, 2011.