Integrating Criminological Theories to Explain Violent Forms of Delinquency

• NCJ Number: 190215
• Journal: Caribbean Journal of Criminology and Social Psychology Volume: 5 Issue: 1&2 Dated: January/July 2000 Pages: 81-102
• Author(s): G. Roger Jarjoura; David C. May
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Trinidad and Tobago

Annotation

This article considers the value of integrating delinquency theories to explain juvenile violence.

Abstract

The three theories focused on are: differential association theory, strain theory, and nonsocial reinforcement theory. Differential association theory proposes that youths whose friends have values and beliefs that encourage breaking the law are most likely to engage in violent forms of delinquent behavior. Strain theory indicates that youths that perceive their chances of achieving desired goals to be limited are more likely to engage in violent forms of delinquency. Nonsocial reinforcement theory argues that individuals continue to participate in deviant behavior because of the rewards they receive from that participation. Survey data were collected in the summer of 1999 from incarcerated high-risk juvenile males in Indiana. Results helped demonstrate the utility of integrating existing criminological theories to explain violent behavior among a sample of serious juvenile offenders. It was a combination of internal and social reinforcement that made these young men more likely to commit violent offenses. At a minimum, the research suggested the value of integrating these two theoretical perspectives. Even in the case where there was no significant interaction, nonsocial reinforcement and differential association, both derivatives of social learning theory, were the two best predictors of violent involvement in this sample. In contrast, the strain theory was found to have limited utility in helping to explain the behavior of a sample of serious violent juvenile offenders. In this sample, race and socioeconomic status factors had limited importance in explaining violent behaviors. This research showed that the key role peer support played in encouraging violent offending was evident. Efforts in formulating strategies to prevent violent behavior should be geared to restructuring the key influences in a youth’s life, such as mentoring or adult/peer counseling in schools. 4 tables, appendix, 43 references