The opening paper notes that self theory and attendant research supports the importance of self-concept in the etiology of juvenile delinquency so as to encourage the development or enhancement of positive self-concepts in delinquency-prone groups. While such research has identified some of the variables, particularly those associated with the character of family life, which promote positive and negative self-concepts, the means by which such variables may be manipulated to modify a negative self-concept has not been perfected, thus pointing the way for future research. The second paper proposes a theoretical framework that is more sensitive to the interconnections between social structure and self-image than the research reviewed in the opening essay. The tentativeness of self-images is also noted. The third essay focuses on the reciprocal relationship between self-attitudes and motivated and unmotivated deviant responses. Unmotivated deviant responses are those that derive from the failure to meet the expectations of primary group memberships; whereas, motivated deviant responses are initiated departures from normative expectations in an effort to relieve the discomfort of negative self-evaluations. Another paper surveys the considerable variety of self-concepts offered to account for the involvement of juveniles in illegal drug use. The concluding essay examines some of the essential concepts of each of the theoretical contributions of the issue, argues with some decisions that were made, and identifies some of the common 'parochial' tendencies in the thinking of the authors. Data and references accompany each paper. For individual entries, see NCJ 87357-58.