Primary Socialization Theory: An Exploratory Study of Delinquent Trajectories

• NCJ Number: 231259
• Journal: Criminal Justice Studies Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2010 Pages: 133-146
• Author(s): George E. Higgins; Melissa L. Ricketts; Catherine D. Marcum; Margaret Mahoney
• Date Published: June 2010
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the existence of distinct delinquency trajectory groups and whether delinquent peer association was the only measure responsible for assigning adolescents to these groups.

Abstract

Primary socialization theory (PST) is a recent advance in the psychological literature to help understand the role of peers in delinquency. The theory posits that family, schools, and personality will influence delinquent behavior through peers. That is, peers have the most important role in socializing for delinquency. Using a subsample (N = 383) of the longitudinal GREAT data, the results from semi-parametric group-based modeling (SGM) suggested 5 distinct groups of nonsocial reinforcement (1 trajectory exhibited little to no nonsocial reinforcement, another group appeared to have a low but stable rate of nonsocial reinforcement, 1 trajectory appears to be increasing then decreasing, another trajectory is decreasing, and another trajectory is increasing). This study partially supports PST by showing that other measures have links with the developmental trajectories. Tables, figure, and references (Published Abstract)