The findings suggest that delinquent behavior attracts the attention of peers, that peer-audience members take note of the attention delinquent behavior brings, and that they then increase their own delinquent behavior in proportion to their personal desire for peer attention. The findings did not support the direct-reinforcement hypothesis. Although delinquent behavior prompted peers to spend more time with perpetrators, there was no evidence that this attention increased the perpetrators' own delinquency. Male, but not female, delinquent behavior attracted informal social attention from peers; however, females with a strong drive for social attention from peers tended to engage in more delinquent behavior than other girls, perhaps because they observed this pattern among boys. Study data came from the first and third waves of the National Youth Survey. This survey provides data on a variety of delinquent behaviors, the time young respondents spend with their friends, and the importance respondents attached to their social lives. Variables measured were delinquent behavior, time socializing with friends, and the importance of socializing. The following control variables were derived from differential-association theory: peer delinquency, peer attitudes toward delinquency, and personal attitudes toward delinquency. 5 tables, 2 figures, 75 references, and appended listing of measurement items