Theories Concerning Delinquency
Theories Concerning Delinquency
Theories Concerning Delinquency
Delinquency
Learning Objectives
After the discussion the student will be able to:
Comprehend different theories pertaining to
delinquency.
Learn the foundations and sub-theories of
Biosocial Trait Theories.
Understand the basics and derivatives of
Psychological Theories.
Grasp the essence of Sociological Theories and
their diverse sub-theories.
BIOSOCIALORTRAITTHEORIES
Based on the view that both BIOCHEMICAL – views that crime and
thought and behavior have delinquency are the result of diet, vitamin intake,
biological and social bases hormonal imbalance and other biological causes
They offer a contemporary NEUROLOGICAL –explains that crime and
explanation for the interaction of delinquency occur because the individual suffers
biogenic approaches - where from brain impairment or abnormality in the
genetics, evolution, and structure of the brain learning disabilities such as
biological functions influence attention deficit/hyperactive disorder. Brain
our behavior - and environmental dysfunction are related to anti-social behavior
stimuli in influencing human GENETIC – explains that delinquent traits and
behavior and thought patterns. predisposition to criminality are inherited from
Has three sub-theories: parents. Criminality of parents can predict
biochemical, neurological and delinquency of children supported by research on
genetics twin studies and adoption studies
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES
views delinquency as a result of emotional and mental disturbance of the
individual. Contemporary explanation of the psychogenic approach. It has
three sub-theories: psychodynamic, behavioral and cognitive.
PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORY based on BEHAVIORAL THEORY –
the psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud believes that individuals learn by
– delinquency is the result of the imbalance observing how people react to their
of the three components of personality: id, behavior – behavior is reinforced by
ego and superego – delinquency is the some positive reaction, and behavior
product of the abnormal personality structure is extinguished if punished –
formed in early life and which there after misbehavior of children if left
controls human behavior choices unchecked will persist until
adolescence.
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES
COGNITIVE THEORY – views that delinquency is a result of the faulty
perception and analysis of data of an individual – believes that when an
individual make decisions, he engages in a sequence of cognitive thought
processes:
Definitions: Individuals learn attitudes, values, and beliefs about right and wrong through social
interactions. These definitions can be favorable or unfavorable to committing criminal acts.
Differential Association: Individuals become involved in criminal behavior through their
associations and interactions with others. If their associations are primarily with individuals who
engage in criminal behavior and provide definitions favorable to crime, they are more likely to
adopt criminal behavior themselves.
Frequency and Intensity: The frequency and intensity of interactions with individuals endorsing
criminal behavior play a role in the learning and adoption of criminal behavior. The more
frequently individuals are exposed to criminal behavior and the more intense the interaction, the
more likely they are to engage in criminal acts.
Learning Mechanisms: Criminal behavior is acquired through various learning mechanisms,
including imitation, reinforcement, and modeling. Individuals observe others engaging in
criminal behavior, imitate the behavior, and experience reinforcement or punishment for their
own behavior.
Control Balance Theory
Attachment: The strength of an individual's emotional ties and attachment to significant others, such as
family, friends, and community members. Strong attachment increases the stakes an individual has in
conforming to societal expectations, making them less likely to engage in criminal behavior and risk
damaging those relationships.
Commitment: The extent to which an individual is committed to conventional life goals, such as
education, career, and future aspirations. Strong commitment provides individuals with a sense of
purpose and responsibility, reducing the likelihood of engaging in activities that could jeopardize their
goals.
Involvement: The amount of time and energy individuals invest in conventional activities, such as
school, work, sports, or community organizations. Active involvement in pro-social activities acts as a
deterrent to criminal behavior by occupying individuals' time and providing them with positive outlets
for their energy.
Belief: The belief in the moral validity and legitimacy of social rules, norms, and values. Strong belief
in societal standards reinforces conformity, as individuals feel morally obligated to abide by these
rules.
Labeling Theory
Labeling Theory, is a sociological perspective that focuses on the role of societal
reactions to behavior, particularly the labeling of individuals as deviant or criminal.
This theory suggests that the labeling process itself can contribute to further criminal
behavior and the formation of deviant identities.
Labeling Theory asserts that societal reactions and the application of deviant labels can
contribute to the continuation and escalation of criminal behavior. It emphasizes that the
labeling process, rather than the inherent characteristics of individuals, plays a
significant role in shaping their identity and future behavior.
The theory also raises concerns about the potential negative consequences of labeling
individuals, as it may reinforce deviant identities and restrict opportunities for
rehabilitation and reintegration. It underscores the importance of considering the
societal response to deviance and working towards more inclusive and constructive
approaches to addressing criminal behavior.
Key concepts of Labeling Theory include:
Labeling and Primary Deviance: According to Labeling Theory, individuals engage in primary
deviance, which refers to initial acts of rule-breaking behavior. These acts may be minor or
sporadic. However, when individuals are officially labeled and stigmatized as deviant by external
agents (such as law enforcement, institutions, or authority figures), their primary deviance can
become amplified and solidified.
Secondary Deviance: Secondary deviance occurs when individuals internalize the deviant label
given to them and begin to identify as deviant. This process can lead to a continued pattern of
more significant and persistent deviant behavior as individuals adopt deviant roles and lifestyles.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Labeling Theory emphasizes that once an individual is labeled as
deviant, it can create a self-fulfilling prophecy. They may start to conform to the deviant label and
engage in behavior that aligns with the expectations and stereotypes associated with that label.
Deviant Careers: Labeling Theory suggests that the labeling process can lead individuals along a
path of increasingly serious deviance. The labeled individual may face limited opportunities for
conventional roles and become further involved in deviant subcultures or criminal networks.
SOCIAL REACTION THEORY
Labeling and Stigmatization: These theories emphasize the process of labeling individuals as
deviant or criminal. The application of these labels can lead to the individual internalizing the label
and adopting a deviant or criminal identity, which, in turn, can contribute to continued rule-breaking
behaviors.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Social Reaction Theories posit that once individuals are labeled or
stigmatized, they may adjust their behavior to conform to the perceived expectations associated
with the label. Thus, the label itself can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, reinforcing the labeled
behavior.
Secondary Deviance: Social Reaction Theories recognize that individuals engage in primary deviant
acts, but it is the societal reaction that can convert these initial acts into patterns of secondary
deviance. Secondary deviance refers to the ongoing and more serious involvement in deviant or
criminal activities that can occur after the individual internalizes the deviant label.
Differential Treatment: These theories highlight how differential treatment by authorities,
institutions, and society can contribute to the development or reinforcement of criminal behavior.
Unequal treatment, such as being subjected to increased surveillance, discrimination, or limited
opportunities, can lead individuals to further engage in deviant or criminal acts.
Social control Theory
Social Control Theories are criminological perspectives that focus on the factors and
mechanisms that regulate and govern individual behavior to maintain social order and
prevent deviant or criminal acts. These theories examine the various forms of social control
and their impact on deterring individuals from engaging in rule-breaking behavior.
The primary goal of Social Control Theories is to understand how social factors,
relationships, and institutions shape individuals' decision-making processes and deter them
from engaging in deviance or criminal behavior. These theories highlight the significance
of social bonds, internalized control, normative consensus, and socialization in promoting
conformity to societal rules and maintaining social order.
It is important to note that Social Control Theories do not explain the causes of crime but
rather focus on the mechanisms that prevent criminal behavior through effective social
control.
Key characteristics and concepts within Social Control Theories include:
1. Social Bonds: Social Control Theories emphasize the importance of social bonds or
attachments that individuals have to conventional societal institutions, such as family, school,
peers, and work. These bonds create emotional ties, commitments, involvement, and belief
systems that discourage individuals from violating social norms and values.
2.Internalized Conscience: Social Control Theories suggest that individuals develop an
internalized conscience or self-control that guides their behavior and helps them conform to
societal norms. This internal control mechanism reduces the inclination to engage in illegal or
deviant acts.
3.Normative Consensus: These theories emphasize the significance of normative consensus or
the general agreement within a society regarding acceptable behavior. The existence of shared
values, beliefs, and norms serves as a social control mechanism by shaping individual behavior
through societal expectations and sanctions.
4.Socialization and Social Learning: Social Control Theories recognize the role of socialization
processes and social learning in the formation of social bonds, self-control, and adherence to
social norms. Positive socialization experiences, such as reinforcement of pro-social behavior
and exposure to conventional role models, contribute to stronger social control.
Other theories related to juvenile delinquency
Differential Oppression Theory.
According to the perspective proposed by John D. Hewitt and Robert Regoli, this
theory suggests that serious juvenile delinquency can be attributed to the oppression
experienced by children at the hands of adults, especially within the family context.
The theory argues that the maltreatment and mistreatment of children by adults
contribute to delinquent behavior and other problem behaviors.
Differential Oppression Theory emphasizes that the perception and treatment of
children by adults shape their social roles and control their behavior. In this theory, it
is argued that adult perception of children forces them into socially defined and
controlled inferior positions. Specifically, the socially constructed role of juvenile
delinquency separates young offenders from adult offenders for the purpose of
treatment and control.
Other theories related to juvenile delinquency
General Strain Theory (GST)
General Strain Theory (GST) is a criminological perspective originally proposed by
Robert Agnew in the early 1990s. It builds upon the foundation of strain theory by taking
into account a wider range of sources of strain beyond solely economic goals. Agnew
argues that individuals experience strain when they encounter negative events or
circumstances that they perceive as unjust, frustrating, or stressful.
General Strain Theory highlights how the experience of strain, coupled with negative
emotions, can influence individuals' decision to engage in delinquent acts as a way of
managing or alleviating the strain they face.
Key components of General Strain Theory include:
Strain: Strain refers to the negative experiences or circumstances that individuals encounter, such as
parental abuse, peer rejection, academic failure, unemployment, or discrimination. According to
GST, these strains can create pressure and generate negative emotions.
Negative Emotions: Strain leads to the experience of negative emotions, such as anger, frustration,
or despair. These negative emotions are seen as a crucial factor in understanding the relationship
between strain and delinquent behavior.
Coping Mechanisms: Individuals may employ various coping mechanisms in response to the strain
and negative emotions they experience. GST posits that delinquent behavior can be one such coping
mechanism, as it allows individuals to reduce or escape from negative emotions and reestablish a
positive emotional state.
Types of Strain: GST distinguishes between three main categories of strain: (a) the failure to achieve
positively valued goals or desired outcomes, (b) the removal or loss of positively valued stimuli or
experiences, and (c) the presentation of negative or aversive stimuli or events. Each type of strain
can contribute to the likelihood of engaging in delinquent behavior.
Other theories related to juvenile delinquency
Drift Theory/Neutralization Theory
Drift Theory, also known as Neutralization Theory, was initially proposed by David Matza and Gresham Sykes
in their 1957 article, "Techniques of Neutralization: A Theory of Delinquency." This theory suggests that
juveniles generally have a moral obligation to obey the law and maintain a "bind" between themselves and
societal norms most of the time. However, moments can arise when this bind weakens or becomes temporarily
suspended, leading individuals to engage in delinquency or deviant behavior.
According to the theory, delinquents often employ techniques of neutralization as a means of justifying their
actions and temporarily suspending their moral beliefs or guilt. Neutralization techniques are rationalizations or
persuasive strategies that individuals use to mitigate their sense of obligation to adhere to societal laws and
norms. These techniques allow delinquents to neutralize their guilt and justify their actions, enabling them to
drift away from their moral obligations and engage in deviant behavior.
The theory suggests that delinquents engage in the drift, moving back and forth between conformity and
deviance based on their shifting moral binds to societal norms. While they generally maintain an adherence to
the law, moments arise when the bind weakens, enabling them to rationalize and justify deviant behavior.
It is important to note that drift theory does not seek to explain the initial causes of delinquency but rather focuses
on the mechanisms that allow individuals to temporarily suspend their moral obligations and engage in deviance.
The theory highlights the significance of the techniques of neutralization as a psychological process that
accompanies delinquent behavior within specific social contexts.
Common neutralization techniques described in the theory
include:
Denial of Responsibility: Individuals rationalize their actions by claiming they had no
choice or were forced into committing the delinquent act.
Denial of Injury: Delinquents minimize or reject the harm caused by their actions, often
by arguing that the victim deserved it or that the impact was insignificant.
Denial of Victim: Individuals portray themselves as victims, suggesting that their
actions were in response to a perceived injustice or provocation.
Condemnation of the Condemners: Delinquents criticize or reject the authorities or
social institutions that label their behavior as deviant, questioning their legitimacy or
authority.
Appeal to Higher Loyalties: Delinquents prioritize loyalty to their peers, subculture, or
gang above societal norms, justifying their deviant actions based on these loyalties.
Other theories related to juvenile delinquency
Self-derogation Theory:
Self-derogation theory, introduced by Kaplan, suggests that individuals are
motivated to maximize their self-esteem. According to this theory,
interactions within the family, school, and peer groups that devalue one's
sense of self can diminish the motivation to conform. When individuals
experience devaluing interactions or perceive their behavior as being self-
defacing, the motivation to conform to societal norms may decrease.
Key Concept:
Interactions and behavior that devalue one's sense of self can minimize the
motivation to conform, potentially leading to engagement in delinquent
behavior.
Other theories related to juvenile delinquency
Self-Control Theory: