NCJ Number
218311
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 127-149
Date Published
June 2007
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether indirect peer influence was a factor in delinquent behavior; and if so, whether indirect peer influence on delinquency reflected the processes of diffusion or social influence.
Abstract
The findings confirm the perspective that the adolescent is a rational actor who gives priority to social acceptance in a complex peer environment that offers conflicting behavioral models. The study found that indirect peer behaviors, i.e., behaviors by peers not involved in the circle of one's closest friends, could have independent influences on adolescent delinquency. Adolescents were found to be responsive to the examples of friends of friends, and even peers at some social distance from one's inner circle of friends. The authors argue, however, that the influence of peers beyond one's immediate circle of friends will have strength only if it enhances one's acceptance by close friends. The extent to which adolescents are willing to model the behavior of indirect peer contacts declines as that behavior becomes less acceptable to close friends. Data were obtained from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) for 1994-95. Add Health assesses a variety of social and health-related behaviors of American adolescents. Participants were selected by using a school-based clustered sampling design (n=20,745). The core sample of respondents was drawn from 132 U.S. secondary schools. Data relevant to this study pertained to the existence of a close circle of friends, contacts with friends of friends, participation in minor delinquent behaviors, and friends' risk-taking behaviors. 4 tables, 2 figures, and 65 references