KIDS WHO KILL

• NCJ Number: 42970
• Journal: Crime & Delinquency Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1977) Pages: 312-320
• Author(s): J M SORRELLS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FAILURE TO LEARN IMPULSE CONTROL AND CONSTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORAL GOALS IS DEEMED PRIMARY IN VIOLENT JUVENILE BEHAVIOR. PEER GROUP, THE MEDIA, AND THE FAMILY ARE PRINCIPAL DETERMINANTS IN THIS AREA.

Abstract

THIS STUDY FOCUSES ON THIRTY-ONE JUVENILES CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE OR ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE OVER AN EIGHTEEN-MONTH PERIOD IN ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEIR OFFENSES. LACK OF IMPULSE CONTROL AND FAILURE TO EXPERIENCE FULFILLMENT IN STEADY LONG-TERM SOCIALLY ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR IS CONSIDERED CRUCIAL IN PROVIDING THE INTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO IMPULSIVE, VIOLENT BEHAVIOR. THE HOMES OF THE YOUTH STUDIED WERE CHAOTIC, QUARRELSOME, AND GENERALLY LACKING IN SOCIALLY ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR MODELING. IT IS HYPOTHESIZED THAT TV BECOMES A POWERFUL MODEL FOR THE EXCITING LIFE, AS VIOLENCE IS PORTRAYED AS ROUTINE AND CENTRAL TO AN ADVENTUROUS LIFESTYLE.