JUVENILE JUVENILE DELINQUENCYDELINQUENCY

SECTION 1: THE STUDY OF SECTION 1: THE STUDY OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCYJUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Understanding JDUnderstanding JD

The questions that shape the The questions that shape the scientific study of juvenile scientific study of juvenile delinquency constitute attempts to delinquency constitute attempts to

DefineDefine DescribeDescribe ExplainExplain RespondRespond

To delinquent behavior (pg 5)To delinquent behavior (pg 5)

Understanding JDUnderstanding JD

““an understanding of delinquent an understanding of delinquent behavior builds upon explanations that behavior builds upon explanations that have been offered in theories and have been offered in theories and findings that have been revealed in findings that have been revealed in research”. (pg 5)research”. (pg 5)

““Throughout the book we focus on the Throughout the book we focus on the central roles that theory and research central roles that theory and research play in the study of delinquency, play in the study of delinquency, because these two components form because these two components form the core of any scientific inquiry”. (p5)the core of any scientific inquiry”. (p5)

What is Juvenile DelinquencyWhat is Juvenile Delinquency

Actions that violate the law, Actions that violate the law, committed by a person who is under committed by a person who is under the legal age of majoritythe legal age of majority

Developing and Evaluating Developing and Evaluating Theories of DelinquencyTheories of Delinquency

Hirschi and Selvin noted that theories Hirschi and Selvin noted that theories of delinquency suggest a “sequence of delinquency suggest a “sequence of steps through which a person of steps through which a person moves from law abiding behavior to…moves from law abiding behavior to…delinquency”delinquency”

Criminological theories try to identify Criminological theories try to identify and describe the key causal factors and describe the key causal factors that make up the “sequence of steps” that make up the “sequence of steps” leading to delinquent behavior.leading to delinquent behavior.

What is a Theory?What is a Theory?

Theory: an explanation that makes a Theory: an explanation that makes a systematic and logical argument systematic and logical argument regarding what is important and whyregarding what is important and why

Theories of delinquency are Theories of delinquency are composed of two basic partscomposed of two basic parts

Concepts-isolated features of the Concepts-isolated features of the world that are thought to be causally world that are thought to be causally importantimportant

Propositions-theoretical statements Propositions-theoretical statements that tell how concepts are relatedthat tell how concepts are related

ConceptsConcepts

Examples of concepts discussed in Examples of concepts discussed in text- personality traits, intelligence, text- personality traits, intelligence, routine activities of adolescents, routine activities of adolescents, relationship ties, associations with relationship ties, associations with delinquent friends etcdelinquent friends etc

conceptsconcepts

Concepts require definition. Concepts require definition.

Definitions serve two functions: they Definitions serve two functions: they clarify concepts and provide common clarify concepts and provide common understanding, and they describe understanding, and they describe how concepts will be measured for how concepts will be measured for the purpose of researchthe purpose of research

propositionspropositions

Propositions tell how concepts are Propositions tell how concepts are relatedrelated

Scientific theories use propositions to Scientific theories use propositions to make statements about the make statements about the relationships between concepts.. relationships between concepts..

propositionspropositions

Some propositions imply a Some propositions imply a positive positive linear relationshiplinear relationship in which the in which the concepts increase or decrease concepts increase or decrease together in a relatively straight-line together in a relatively straight-line fashionfashion

propositionspropositions

In a In a negative linear relationshipnegative linear relationship, the , the concepts vary in opposite directionsconcepts vary in opposite directions

Relationships between concepts may Relationships between concepts may also be curvilinear. In this case the also be curvilinear. In this case the concepts vary together, either concepts vary together, either positively or negatively, but after positively or negatively, but after reaching a certain level, the reaching a certain level, the relationship moves in the opposite relationship moves in the opposite directiondirection

What is a “theory of delinquency”?What is a “theory of delinquency”?

A set of logically related propositions A set of logically related propositions that explain why and how selected that explain why and how selected concepts are related to delinquent concepts are related to delinquent behavior.behavior.

A theory offers a logically developed A theory offers a logically developed argument that certain concepts are argument that certain concepts are important in causing delinquent important in causing delinquent behaviorbehavior

Levels of ExplanationLevels of Explanation

Theorites of delinquency operate at Theorites of delinquency operate at three different levels of explanationthree different levels of explanation

Individual levelIndividual level Microsocial levelMicrosocial level Macrosocial levelMacrosocial level

Assessing TheoryAssessing Theory

Questions to ask as you evaluate Questions to ask as you evaluate theories of delinquencytheories of delinquency

1. Conceptual clarity1. Conceptual clarity

How clearly are the theoretical How clearly are the theoretical concepts identified and defined? concepts identified and defined? How well do the concepts and How well do the concepts and propositions fit together-how propositions fit together-how compatible are they?compatible are they?

2. Logical consistency2. Logical consistency

Does the theoretical argument Does the theoretical argument develop logically and consistently? Is develop logically and consistently? Is there a causal process leading to there a causal process leading to delinquency?delinquency?

3. parsimony3. parsimony

How concise is the theory in terms of How concise is the theory in terms of its concepts and propositions? its concepts and propositions? Simpler is better. Favor the theory Simpler is better. Favor the theory with the smallest number of conceptswith the smallest number of concepts

4. scope4. scope

What is the theory attempting to What is the theory attempting to explain. What question is the theory explain. What question is the theory designed to answer?designed to answer?

5. Level of Explanation5. Level of Explanation

At what level does the theory At what level does the theory attempt to explain delinquency?attempt to explain delinquency?

6. testability6. testability

To what extent can the theory be To what extent can the theory be tested-verified or disproved by tested-verified or disproved by research evidence?research evidence?

7. Research Validity7. Research Validity

To what extent has the theory been To what extent has the theory been supported by research evidence?supported by research evidence?

8. Applicability and usefulness8. Applicability and usefulness

To what extent can the theory be To what extent can the theory be applied practically? Is the theory applied practically? Is the theory useful in policy and practice?useful in policy and practice?

Purpose of delinquency researchPurpose of delinquency research

Two purposes: to generate or Two purposes: to generate or develop theory and to test theory.develop theory and to test theory.

Generating theoryGenerating theory

Inductive theorizingInductive theorizing

Deductive theorizingDeductive theorizing