METHODOLOGICAL AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS IN CRIMINOLOGICAL STUDIES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

• NCJ Number: 68450
• Journal: STAAT UND RECHT Volume: 24 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 1286-1296
• Author(s): G M MINKOWSKI
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: German
• Country: East Germany (Former)
• Note: ABRIDGED VERSION OF A SPEECH MADE BY THE AUTHOR ON APRIL 8, 1975, AT A WORKSHOP ON CRIME CONTROL AT THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY FOR LEGAL AND JUSTICE RESEARCH

Annotation

THE TASKS OF CRIMINOLOGICAL STUDIES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN THE SOVIET UNION AND THE PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES AND THE INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITY IN THE METHODOLOGY ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

STUDIES OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS SHOULD HAVE FOUR OBJECTIVES: (1) TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS, (2) TO DETERMINE THOSE ELEMENTS IN SOCIETY THAT HAVE A NEGATIVE INFLUENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE, (3) TO ELIMINATE THE CAUSES OF PERSONALITY DEFORMATIONS BEFORE THEY CAN AFFECT THE YOUNG, AND (4) TO STUDY THE FACTS RELATED TO CRIME AND RECIDIVISM. AT PRESENT, THE PERSONALITY OF THE JUVENILE OFFENDER IS OF CENTRAL INTEREST, AND THE ROLES OF THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL INFLUENCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERSONALITY SHOULD RECEIVE ATTENTION: FIRST, THE INFLUENCES FELT BY THE SOVIET PEOPLE IN THEIR FORMATION OF A HISTORICALLY NEW SOCIETY SHOULD BE STUDIED, FOLLOWED BY THE INFLUENCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S PARTICULAR CLASS OF GROUP IN THIS SOCIETY, AND THE INFLUENCE OF PARTICULAR AGE GROUPS ON THE INDIVIDUAL. FURTHERMORE, THE PERSONALITY OF THE JUVENILE OFFENDER MUST BE VIEWED IN ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE CAUSES OF THE CRIME, HIS SURROUNDINGS, THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRIME ITSELF, AND MEASURES INTENDED TO ELIMINATE THE ORIGINAL CAUSES. PREVIOUS STUDIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY PROBLEMS WHICH SHOULD BE AVOIDED. THE USE OF CONTROL GROUPS HAS BEEN NEGLECTED; THE CONCLUSIONS OF STUDIES OF ONE PARTICULAR GROUP HAVE BEEN APPLIED INAPPROPRIATELY TO OTHER GROUPS NOT INCLUDED IN THE STUDIES; AND THE INFORMATION GAINED THROUGH INTERVIEWS AND QUESTIONNAIRES HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR ACCURACY BY CONSULTING THE DETAINING INSTITUTION'S FILES, THE JUVENILE'S PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND PREVIOUS WORKPLACES, OR THE JOURNALS OF THE EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES HE HAS VISITED. IN ADDITION, PERSONALITY TESTS SHOULD BE VIEWED ONLY AS AIDS; THEY CANNOT REVEAL THE WHOLE OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S PERSONALITY. FOOTNOTES AND REFERENCES TO SPECIFIC STUDIES ARE NOT INCLUDED. -- IN GERMAN.