NCJ Number
93685
Date Published
1984
Length
296 pages
Annotation
From a review of the literature on delinquency theories, this book identifies the underlying assumptions of each theory, key terms and how the theory builders have used and defined them, and the empirical tests that tend to validate or disconfirm the theory; from this analysis, a summary and assessment are developed.
Abstract
The discussion of biological and biosocial explanations focuses on somatotypes, genetic inheritance, and emerging trends in biological explanations of delinquency. In the category of psychological theories, attention is given to intelligence and delinquency, the psychiatric-psychoanalytic approach, and general personality characteristics. The relationship of social disorganization and anomie to delinquency is discussed in another chapter. Consideration of class-based theories of delinquency reviews the work of Cohen and the middle-class measuring rod, Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity structure, and Miller's theory of lower-class culture and delinquency. The chapter on interpersonal and situational explanations of delinquency centers on differential association as well as 'drift.' The discussion of control theories distinguishes between personal; and social controls other chapters focus on labeling theory, the radical and Marxist theories, female delinquency, and middle-class delinquency. The analysis and assessment of the theories argues for a synthesis that incorporates both social and individualistic explanations. Chapter notes and references are provided along with author and subject indexes.