NCJ Number
84102
Editor(s)
G F Jensen
Date Published
1981
Length
144 pages
Annotation
Selections on the sociology of delinquency deal with radical theory as causal theory, stratification within age groups, alternative conceptions of delinquency, and similarities and variations among societies.
Abstract
The first two essays deal with the relevance of radical criminological theory to delinquency and its relation to other perspectives when treated as a testable causal theory. One selection argues that changes in the popularity of various theories is a product of changes in values rather than new evidence, but that the focus on the implicit and contrasting value assumptions underlying theories leads opposing parties to ignore points on which theory integration can be achieved. The second selection advises that both radical and traditional criminologists should be aware of the philosophical and ethical background assumptions which shape their work, such that they cannot avoid criticism by claiming scientific validation. The next two selections deal with self-report methodology in the study of delinquency. One concludes that age, class, and race differences are not noticeable in self-reports of delinquency, even when distinguishing among offenses. The other selection indicates that traditional self-report measures of explanatory variables are problematic, especially when using survey methods to study black Americans. Other essays test the explanatory power of the strain and control models in explaining self-reported and official delinquency and the competing conceptions of delinquent peer relations. The final two selections examine data on delinquency in India and Papua New Guinea, with the Indian study focusing on similarities and differences between juvenile crime and corrections in India and the United States and the New Guinea study considering the demographic characteristics of arrested juveniles and their disposition. The studies include tabular data, notes, and references. For individual entries, see NCJ 84103-10.