Verified Document

Individual Theories Of Delinquency Term Paper

Crime Theories and Juvenile Delinquency There are many theories of crime that aim at determining or explaining why individuals resort to criminal and/or violent behavior. Among the different types of offenders are juvenile delinquents who are driven to deviancy for a number of reasons. By examining two theories of crime, behavioral and psychodynamic, one can gain a better understanding of the motivating factors behind juvenile delinquency.

One of the most relevant behavioral theories in criminology is the social learning theory. Albert Bandura posited that "people learn by what they see" (Arrigo, 2006, p. 87). He believed that violent tendencies were not inherited, but rather that they were modeled on three distinct principles: reinforcement from family members, the media, and the environment (Isom, 1998). Thus, people behave in ways that are "consistent with what we are exposed to and thus familiar with as a byproduct of our environment" (Arrigo, 2006, p. 87). Atkinson, Atkinson, Smith, and Bem (1990) expand on Bandura's claims and state, "When children observe and subsequently imitate their...

169). However, when there is a lack of parental direction, the model for proper moral behavior is missing and thus, a child is left without guidance, which can, in turn, contribute to deviancy. It is also important to keep in mind that "maladjusted behavior is learned in the same manner as adjusted behavior," thus a lack of guidance cannot be the sole source of learned criminal behavior (Phares, 1991, p. 371; Arrigo, 2006, p. 87).
As parents are role models in the psychosocial development of children, a disruption in the family dynamic -- such as divorce or violence -- may also contribute to juvenile delinquency. Rossman, Hughes, and Rosenberg (2000) contend "children's behavioral problems [are] mostly a function of violence in the child's immediate family, with violence against the child exerting the most powerful impact but witnessing violence adding to that impact" (Arrigo, 2006, p. 170). Furthermore, according to Stevenson and Black…

Sources used in this document:
References

Arrigo, B. (2006). Criminal behavior: a systems approach. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Isom, MD (1998, Nov 30). Albert Bandura. The Florida State University College of Criminology

and Criminal Justice. Retrieved 8 March 2013, from http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/bandura.htm

Sigmund Freud. (n.d.). The Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal
Justice. Retrieved 8 March 2013, from http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/freud.htm
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Individual-Level Attributes or Aggregate Characteristics:
Words: 950 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

, 2011). Instead, social control theories suggest that neighborhoods are somewhat informally self-regulating (Sampson et al., 2011). This lack of criminal self-regulation may stem from a feeling of being disenfranchised, as if the criminal laws have been created without reference to the needs of that community. In fact, in the United States, there is a definite cultural conflict regarding criminal codes (Sutherland & Cressey, 2011). Perhaps the most famous example

Strain Social Learning and Social Disorganization Theories
Words: 638 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Theories The relationship between Postivist, Social Disorganization, Social Learning and Strain Theories is one of evolutionary growth and development in terms of building, shaping, remolding and altering the perspective of how human nature is impacted by various factors. The Posititvist Theory was rooted in an analysis of both biological and psychological factors as they applied to criminal behavior. This was the focus on a natural explanation, the experiences gathered through sense

Delinquency Theories Edwin Sutherland --
Words: 1026 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Just as parole programs typically restrict contact between offenders, a Differential Association-oriented delinquency prevention program would endeavor to prohibit the formation of deviant groups and criminally-prone gangs. The specific mechanisms for intervention would include sentencing juvenile offenders to mandatory suspension of social relationships deemed capable of precipitating delinquent or criminal conduct in lieu of harsher penalties. Another mechanism might be the strict enforcement of particular municipal codes, such as ordinances

Theories and Theorists
Words: 1231 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Criminology Theories and Theorists Theorists in the field of criminal justice: Howard Becker and Robert Agnew The field of sociology has been extremely influential in shaping our concept of criminal justice in the 20th century. Rather than focusing on biological or moral theories of why people commit crimes, criminology has begun to place more emphasis on how social pressures may shape the decision of an individual to engage in criminal behavior or to eschew

Theories and Perspectives on Deviance in the Batman Fiction
Words: 1622 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Batman 1989 As depicted in this DC-comic-based movie, Gotham City is a fictionalized concept of New York or Chicago in the late 30s rather than in the bicentennial period of its independence in 1776. The behavior of the characters, the black-and-white television sets, the locale and the overall mood of the fiction are suggestive of that period before the last War rather than of the conditions in New York or Chicago

Criminological Theories and How They Apply to a Fictional Characters...
Words: 4431 Length: 13 Document Type: Essay

Criminological Theories and Their Application Character History Nikita Voronov was born in Omsk, Russia in 1977 to a 17-year-old mother named Natasha Voronov. She had gotten pregnant with him after dating a man for one month, another Russian male who was working in the mining area at the time. Once Natasha became pregnant she never saw the father of her child again who fled the town. Desiring a better life for her

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now