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Integration and Elaboration of Theory To Explain the Delinquency of Korean Boys

NCJ Number
132016
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 14 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (Spring-Winter 1990) Pages: 25-40
Author(s)
Y Ho Lee
Date Published
1990
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Three American theories of delinquency -- cultural deviance, social control, and social learning -- were integrated and elaborated upon in this cross-cultural replication to test the applicability of these theories to the Korean situation. Questionnaire responses collected from 533, 11th grade male students were used in the analysis.
Abstract
A path analysis was used to examine the culture-specific causal model of Korean delinquency. The results indicated that, among the subjects, low school attachment was an early precursor to delinquency and youth culture was the most salient causal factor. Other important predictor variables included discontentment with home and school. The fact that every variable played some role in explaining delinquent behavior supported the notion that the three theories need to be integrated and recognized as parts of a sequential process. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 31 references (Author abstract modified)