NCJ Number
69144
Journal
Criminology Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 121-129
Date Published
1980
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES THREE STUDIES CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OFFICIAL LABELING OF DELINQUENTS AND SUBJECTIVE VARIABLES SUCH AS DELINQUENT VALUES, COMMITMENT, AND IDENTIFY.
Abstract
THE STUDIES EXAMINED ARE THE AUTHOR'S STUDY OF 'DELINQUENCY AND ADOLESCENT SELF-CONCEPTIONS' (1972), AGETON AND ELLIOT'S STUDY OF 'THE EFFECTS OF LEGAL PROCESSING OF SELF-CONCEPT' (1974), AND HEPBURN'S STUDY OF 'THE IMPACT OF POLICE INTERVENTION UPON JUVENILE DELINQUENTS' (1977). THE ARTICLE ATTEMPTS TO RESPOND TO CRITICISM OF SOME OF THE AUTHOR'S WORK ON THE RELEVANCE OF LABELING TO ADOLESCENT SELF-CONCEPTIONS AND AN ATTEMPT TO RECONCILE DIVERGENT FINDINGS. THROUGH A REANALYSIS OF THE DATA UNDER QUESTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH OFFICIAL LABELING AND SELF-REPORTED DELINQUENCY ARE RELATED TO DELINQUENT SELF-IMAGES, BUT THAT SELF-REPORTED DELINQUENCY IS MORE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH IMAGES THAN OFFICIAL LABELS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SOME INDICATION IN THE DATA THAT THE IMPACT OF OFFICIAL LABELING MAY VARY DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF INVOLVEMENT IN DELINQUENCY. THE MOST PRESSING TASK REGARDING THIS ISSUE IS FURTHER STUDY OF THE VARIABLE MEANING OF LABELS AND SANCTIONS IN DIFFERENT SOCIOCULTURAL AND GROUP CONTEXTS. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).