NCJ Number
139483
Journal
School Safety Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 11-14
Date Published
1992
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study tests the model of interactional theory (Thornberry 1987) as an explanation for which comes first: delinquent behavior or association with delinquent peers.
Abstract
There are two contradictory models of the relationship between associating with delinquent peers and engaging in delinquency. In the peer influence model, associating with delinquent peers causes delinquency. In the selection model, prior delinquency causes adolescents to associate with other delinquents. Because the issue remains unresolved under the contradictory models, a third model is proposed to explain the correlation between associating with delinquent peers and engaging in delinquency. It is called the interactional theory. It maintains that both socialization and selection processes occur; i.e., people interact with one another over time so that they mutually influence each other's behavior. This model is tested in the Rochester Youth Development Study. Under the longitudinal study, a sample of adolescents and their parents are interviewed at 6-month intervals to better understand the factors associated with the development of delinquency. The current analysis is based on responses from the first six interviews, conducted with the adolescents during the spring semester of the 7th or 8th grade through the fall semester of the 10th or 11th grade. To test the hypotheses of the study, two concepts were measured: associating with delinquent peers and engaging in delinquency. Both were measured with responses from the adolescent interviews. The results strongly suggest that peer delinquency and delinquent behavior are mutually or reciprocally interrelated. Neither the socialization nor the selection model was eliminated, suggesting that both these processes are at work. 3 notes and 9 references