NCJ Number
120238
Date Published
Unknown
Length
60 pages
Annotation
This study provides an overview of the major perspectives on juvenile delinquency factors, summarizing research "facts" supporting or refuting the theories.
Abstract
The classical school's explanation of crime is first considered. It posits the origin of crime in the free will of the person, with each person having the same capacity to choose or reject criminal behavior. The positive school maintains that persons do not have free will, because all behavior stems from forces outside the individual's control. A discussion of the biological causes of delinquency focuses on phrenology, physical characteristics, heredity, somatotypes, neurological dysfunction, body chemistry, minimal brain dysfunction, and XYY males. Other theories are discussed under the broad classifications of psychological causes, sociological causes, strain, social and cultural causes, learning delinquency through social interaction, labelling theory, and the political and conflict explanation of delinquency. The study concludes that although some theories explain delinquent behavior better than others, no one explanation of delinquency is sufficient for all cases. Selected bibliography and a matrix of influences of certain institutions on delinquency are included.