Juvenile processing is outlined from the time of the offense through sentencing decisions, and an examination of the measures of juvenile delinquency considers self-report studies, victim surveys, observation methods, the behavioral characteristics of offenders, and the subclassification of delinquency and conduct disorders. The discussion of adolescent development gives attention to age trends, moral development, and the continuity and course of antisocial behavior. A chapter is devoted to the impact of various historical trends, including changes in society and family, which may have contributed to an increase in juvenile delinquency, and research findings pertaining to the impact of sex, social class, and race on delinquency are reviewed. An analysis of individual characteristics that may contribute to delinquency focuses on I.Q. and scholastic attainment, body build and disabilities, physiological characteristics, hyperactivity, personality characteristcs, and genetic factors. Psychosocial factors considered include family influences, films and television, school factors, and geographic influences. The chapter on protective factors considers influences that appear to counter the development of delinquent patterns. Following a review of theories and explanations of delinquency, approaches for prevention and intervention are presented, while the concluding chapter discusses implications for research, policy, and practice. Over 1,000 references are provided, along with subject and author indexes.