NCJ Number
111716
Date Published
1988
Length
245 pages
Annotation
This book discusses the assessment, classification, and treatment of juvenile delinquents and ways in which the understanding of delinquent behavior evolves and changes.
Abstract
A review of the history of delinquency traces some of the philosophical, religious, legal, and economic formulations and beliefs that have informed society's perspective of the youthful offender. One chapter explores definitional issues raised in delinquency measurement together with the complexities involved in attempting to report and assess its occurrence from official and unofficial sources. This is followed by a chapter on the contribution of abnormal psychology research to understanding antisocial and deviant behavior. This chapter raises definitional issues and questions theoretical assumptions regarding the meaning of abnormal behavior. Two chapters on early childhood and adolescent development examine antisocial behavior from a psychodynamic perspective with a recognition of its developmental characteristics. A review of some of the psychosocial and biological variables associated with aggressive, antisocial, criminal, and delinquent behavior is followed by a discussion of behaviorist and social learning theories in relation to delinquency. Remaining chapters address the classification of the youthful offender, the psychological treatment of the youthful offender, and the prediction and prevention of delinquency. 590 references, author index and subject index.