NCJ Number
139580
Date Published
1992
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This Japanese study tests the hypothesis that the stronger the bond of students with persons having conventional values, the lower the delinquency rate.
Abstract
The study used a multi-stage, stratified, and random sampling that involved 1,044 students. The study used the questionnaire of the Richmond Youth Project to measure informal social control operative for each subject. The questionnaire measured the level of "attachment," "commitment," "involvement," and "belief." To measure delinquency, subjects were asked about their involvement in six offenses over the past 12 months. Findings show that attachment to mothers was more important than attachment to fathers in impacting delinquency, and attachment to parents was more important than attachment to teachers in its impact on delinquency. Attachment to a delinquent peer was more important in negatively influencing delinquency than positive peer influence was in positively influencing delinquency. Commitment, that is, a long-term view of goal achievement, was important in the prediction of students' delinquency rates. Students' attitudes toward law and police were a strong predictor of delinquency. Findings thus support the hypothesis regarding the influence of informal social control on delinquency. 4 tables and 19 references