justice

In this I am going to examine the multiple theories and also I will include individual views , sociological views , and developmental views of delinquency to the following delinquent acts : shoplifting and breaking and entering a house

Work on delinquent and violent subcultures in criminology has focused on the relationship between holding values (attitudes , beliefs etc ) in support of delinquency or violence and actual involvement in these activities . However , empirical research on this relationship is inconsistent

According to Costello , cultural deviance theorists have over the years settled on the position that

deviant norms allow (but do not require ) deviant behaviour . As mentioned above , the major problem with this position is that it allegedly cannot elucidate the reasons for an initial act of deviance . In my view , the essential problem here concerns the lack of an adequate theoretical model explaining how people 's attitudes are translated into social action . Among existing subculture of delinquency and violence explanations , the dominant model of this process is intra personal (i .e , a person 's values or attitudes cause her or his behaviour , rather than inter personal . So exist a great number of delinquency theories : Individual views of delinquency : choice and trait , developmental theories : interactional theory , latent trait theory and also sociological views of delinquency : control theory

First I am going to examine Individual Views of Delinquency Criminological theories that focus on the individual can be classified in two groups : choice theories and trait theories . Choice theory holds that people have free will to control their actions . Delinquency is a product of weighing the risks of crime against its benefits . If the risk is greater than the gain , people will choose not to commit crimes . One way of creating a greater risk is to make sure that the punishments associated with delinquency are severe , certain , and fast . Routine activities theory maintains that a pool of motivated offenders exists and that these offenders will take advantage of suitable targets unless they are heavily guarded

General deterrence theory holds that if delinquents are rational an inverse relationship should exist between punishment and crime . The harsher , more certain , and swifter the punishment , the more likely it will deter delinquency . General deterrence assumes that delinquents make a rational choice before committing delinquent acts . Research has not indicated that deterrent measures actually reduce the delinquency rate

Specific deterrence theory holds that the delinquency rate can be reduced if offenders are punished so severely that they never commit crimes again . There is little evidence that harsh punishments reduce the delinquency rate , perhaps because most delinquents are not severely punished

Choice theorists agree that if the punishment for delinquency could be increased , the delinquency rate might fall . One method is to transfer youths to the criminal courts or to grant the adult justice system jurisdiction over serious juvenile cases . Similarly , some experts advocate incapacitation for serious juvenile offenders - for example long-term sentences for chronic delinquents . Situational crime prevention strategies aim to reduce opportunities for crime to take place . By imposing obstacles that make it difficult to offend , such strategies strive to dissuade would-be offenders

Trait theories hold that delinquents do not choose to commit crimes freely but are influenced by forces beyond their control . The two types of current trait theory are biosocial and psychological

One of the earliest branches of biosocial theory was biological theory , formulated by Cesare Lombroso , who linked delinquency to inborn traits . Following his lead were theories based on genetic inheritance and body build . Although biological theory was in disrepute for many years , it has recently reemerged . Biochemical factors linked to delinquency include diet , hormones , and blood chemistry

Psychological theories include the psychodynamic model , which links antisocial behaviors to unconscious emotions and feelings developed in early childhood . The behavioral perspective emphasizes that children imitate the behavior they observe personally or view on television or in movies . Children who are exposed to violence and see it rewarded may become violent as adults . Cognitive psychology is concerned with how people perceive the world . Criminality is viewed as a function of improper information processing or lack of moral development Psychopaths are people with a commit the most serious violent crimes . Intelligence has also been related to delinquency . Some studies claim to show that delinquents have lower IQs than nondelinquents . Many delinquency prevention efforts are based on psychological theory . Judges commonly delinquent youths to receive counseling . Recently , some delinquent offenders have been given biochemical therapy

Also exist Developmental Theories which dealt with development of the person . Life course theories argue that events that take place over the life course influence delinquent choices . The cause of delinquency constantly changes as people mature . At first , the nuclear family influences behavior during adolescence , the peer group dominates in adulthood , marriage and career are critical . There are a variety of pathways to delinquency : some kids are sneaky , others hostile , and still others defiant . According to the concept of problem behavior syndrome delinquency may be just one of a variety weaken social bonds and sets people off on a delinquent path of social problems , including health physical , and interpersonal troubles

According to interactional theory , delinquency influences social relations , which in turn influence delinquency the relationship is interactive . The sources of delinquency evolve over time

Latent trait theories hold that some underlying condition present from birth or soon after controls behavior . Suspect traits include low IQ , impulsivity , and personality structure . This underlying trait explains the continuity of offending because , once present , it remains with a person throughout the lifetime

The general theory of crime , developed by Gottfredson and Hirschi integrates rational choice theory concepts . People with latent traits choose delinquency over nondelinquency the opportunity for delinquency mediates their choice

What for Sociological Views of Delinquency , sociologists consider delinquency as a product of the socialization mechanisms in a neighborhood : unstable neighborhoods have the greatest chance of producing delinquents . Social structure theories hold that delinquent behavior is an adaptation to conditions that predominate in lower-class environments . The social disorganization view suggests that economically deprived areas lose their ability to control the behavior of residents Gangs flourish in these areas . Such factors as fear , unemployment change , and lack of cohesion help produce delinquent behavior patterns Strain theories hold that lower-class youths may desire legitimate goals but their unavailability causes frustration and deviant behavior

Cultural deviance theory maintains that the result of social disorganization and strain is the development of independent subcultures whose members hold values in opposition to mainstream society . These subcultures are the breeding grounds for gangs and law-violating groups

Social process theories hold that improper socialization is the key to delinquency . One branch , called learning theories , holds that kids learn deviant behaviors and attitudes during interaction with family and peers

Control theories suggest that kids are prone to delinquent behavior when they have not been properly socialized and lack a strong bond to society . Without a strong bond they are free to succumb to the lure of delinquent behavior

Social conflict theory views delinquency as an inevitable result of the class and racial conflict that pervades society . Delinquents are members of the have-not ' class that is shut out of the mainstream The law benefits the wealthy over the poor . Social views of delinquency have had a great deal of influence on social policy . Programs have been designed to improve neighborhood conditions , help children be properly socialized , and reduce conflict

Sources

Akers , Ronald L . 1996 . Is Differential Association /Social Learning Cultural Deviance Theory ' Criminology 34 :229-47

Cloward , Richard A . 1959 . Illegitimate Means , Anomie , and Deviant Behavior ' American Sociological Review 44 :588-608

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