Animal abuse as a predictor of adolescent criminal behavior

Animal Abuse and Crime

Does cruelty to animals at an early age predict an adolescents' propensity of criminal behavior?

Recent academic literature indicates that a connection exists between animal cruelty as a child or adolescent and the tendency toward criminal behavior as an adult. An examination of these studies found them inadequate as a means to predict which child animal abusers are most likely to commit crimes as adults. The main problem found was a biased sample population consisting of only those that had committed crimes. This study will provide valuable information that will help to identify adolescents that are at-risk for the commission of crimes later in adulthood. It will use the factor of animal abuse as an adolescent and its usefulness as a predictor of crime in later life.

Does cruelty to animals at an early age predict an adolescents' propensity of criminal behavior?

Problem Statement, Theoretical Framework, and Research Questions

Problem Statement

Theoretical Framework

Hypothesis and Research Questions

Section 2: Literature Review

Battered Pets: Battered Family

Conclusion

Section 3: Selected Methodology

Study Design

Subjects

Setting

Survey Instruments

Data Collection

Data Analysis

Limitations and Validity Issues

Ethical Considerations

Section 4: Analysis and Justification of Study Methodology