ipl-logo

Juvenile Crime Theory And Empirical Study

1268 Words6 Pages

For as long a crime existed there has been debate on what causes crime. Because crime is such a complex phenomenon; many criminologists has been tasked to find the causes of the crimes that has plagued society for so long (Lilly, Cullen & Ball, 2011). Lurigio (2013) explains that criminology studies the element of criminality, the causes and how to suppress and prevent it. There are several different schools of thought in criminology which includes classical, positivist and Chicago (Lurigio, 2013). This paper focuses on the root cause of juvenile crimes by using several different theories and one empirical study.
Empirical Study
Rattional Choice and Developmental influences on recidivism Among Adolescent Felony Offenders Over the years, …show more content…

Many have associated juvenile violence with the factors of race, deprived neighborhood, family structure, strong and weak ties etc. Theorist have also associated juveniles with delinquent peers. Hoffman (2011) states that theories are generally designed to describe or clarify an event or phenomenon. Before we go any further, some may ask what makes a good theory? A good theory has the following characteristics: coherence, verifiability, simplicity, significance, scope, and utility (Mithaug, 2000; Hoffman, 2011). In this section, several theories will be explained along the limitations of each …show more content…

Lombroso claims that criminal behavior is not free will, but instead criminal behavior is biologically determined (Lilly, Cullen & Ball, 2011). To distinguish criminals Lombroso determined that there are physical characteristics and abnormalities (Lilly, Cullen & Ball, 2011; Hoffman, 2011). To formulate this theory Lombroso observed approximately 1,000 soldiers, mentally ill patients and prisoners; this observation inspired his theory of atavism (Hoffman, 2011). Similarly, atavism characteristics include oversized and small skulls, thick cranial bones, cleft palates, receding chins etc. when Lombroso first identified atavism it was associated with the bulk of criminals, but it was later revised to associate with juveniles (Hoffman, 2011). In the views of Lombroso, Hoffman (2011) states that juveniles inherited criminal behavior; they tend to be cruel, angry and

Show More
Related

Crossroads Juvenile Center Research Paper

1622 Words | 7 Pages

There are indication that most criminals have a juvenile records in the US, indicating that crime manifests from a tender age. Therefore, to reverse the incidence of crime, it follows that the best strategy is to reduce the criminal orientation in the juvenile offenders as opposed to hardening them and preparing them for criminal careers. The case of the Crossroads Juvenile Center demonstrates the willingness of the juvenile justice systems to make these changes on the children. References Day, S. (2014). Runaway Man: A Journey Back to Hope.

Read More

Integrative Analysis Of Boyz N The Hood

2358 Words | 10 Pages

57). Research shows that delinquency and youth violence have been on the rise over the decade growing in epidemic proportions since 1993 (Hoyt & Scherer, 1998). Delinquency means for one to break the law and does not have to involve any form of criminal activity in one doing so. However, it is known that antisocial behavior, delinquency, and violence share common roots and similar consequences according to Mcwhirter et al. (2013). Violent crimes committed by youth has escalated by youth victimized by youth violence doubling the in juvenile arrests for violent crime by 2010, and fueled anxieties about future crime wave as the juvenile delinquents mature into adults (Hoyt & Scherer, 1998) with female delinquency making its mark up the ladder according to research.

Read More

Juvenile Delinquency In New Orleans: A Case Study

659 Words | 3 Pages

The state of delinquency among juveniles is a persistent and pervasive American social problem. According to a 1985 study conducted by Hawkins, Juvenile crime represents over 40% of the total arrests for major crimes, including burglary, rape and murder. This rate of juvenile incarceration mirrors that of adult incarceration. This segment of the population which has been ignored by both the written law and society has created great social and economic costs. This pattern of juvenile delinquency and crime must be addressed.

Read More

James Bulger Theory

1004 Words | 5 Pages

This theory clearly rules out the effect of inherited or innate factors, and the last is the cognitive theory, which is based on how the perception of an individual is manifested into affecting his or her potential and capability to commit a crime. (Psychological theories of crime) Relating these theories to the case under study, it’s clear that the behaviour can be traced most times to faulty relationships in the family during the first years of

Read More

Kids Are Kids Until They Commit A Crime Analysis

665 Words | 3 Pages

Since then, more have searched for ways to vindicate juvenile crime and as mentioned in “Kids Are Kids - Until They Commit A Crime”, most proposed that the teen immaturity could be the reason behind their actions, but a crime is a crime,

Read More

Juveniles Should Be Tried As Adults Essay

434 Words | 2 Pages

Research shows that factors differ from inherited personality traits, chemical imbalances, and damage inside the womb can increase the odds that a child will become violent (Walkins 78). Experts say that no one is predestined to a life of crime. Experts believe that neglect, poverty, repeated abuse, media violence, and access to weapons play a major role of turning juveniles into criminals. In a quiet city of New York, Eric Smith, thirteen-year-old boy cut off a four-year-old boy named Derrick Robie when he was on his way to the City’s recreation program. Eric told Derrick could show him a short cut there.

Read More

Annotated Bibliography

1327 Words | 6 Pages

RESEARCH QUESTION What is the connection between Youth, Crime and Violence? Annotated Bibliography Ivert, A.-K., Andersson, F., Svenson, R., Pauwels, L. J. R., and Torstensson Levander, M.(2018) An examination of the interaction between morality and self-control in offending: A study of differences between girls and boys.

Read More

Laub's Age-Graded Development Theory

1802 Words | 8 Pages

Developmental theories look at how offenders start and end their criminal behaviors. All developmental theories, including the two focused on in this paper, pull from social, psychological, and biological factors to find answers. Both of these theories follow along a trajectory or pathway for offenders. Sampson and Laub’s age-graded theory has offenders following along two possible trajectories. They can either follow along the high risk trajectory or the low risk trajectory.

Read More

Theories Of Criminal Behavior

1331 Words | 6 Pages

By providing the motives behind criminal activity, theories give criminologists a better understanding of crime (Bohm & Vogel, 2015). Theories of criminal behavior can relate to human nature, biological issues, psychological issues, sociological issues, economic issues, or a collaboration of two or more of these factors.

Read More

Crime And Cesare Beccaria's Rational Choice Theory

847 Words | 4 Pages

Though he was influenced by Darwin, Lombroso misunderstood his work and considered criminals evolutionary throwbacks of primitive forms (Mazzarello, 2011). Trait theory has evolved over time from Garofalo’s sociological tilt (crime is an immoral act that is injurious to society) to Enrico Ferri (focused on social and economic factors that motivate criminals) to a modern, biosocial trait theory, which theorizes each person is mentally and physically unique, does not possess equipotentiality (equal potential to learn and achieve), and has developed traits at birth or soon after that affect social functioning and affect criminal behavior. Physical, environmental, and social conditions work in concert to produce behavior. The last part of the theory states, instincts affect learning (rape or desire of males to control

Read More

Psychological Theories Of Juvenile Violence

1625 Words | 7 Pages

Juveniles use violence for many different reasons such as to belong to a group, be able to adjust to their environment, get rewards that are unattainable through social norms, and to express internal anger (Khromina, 2007). With this being said, the conflict theory is compromised of four major factors. First, individuals are shaped by social conflict due to the occurring conflict of limited resources. The second factor is the reasoning behind the conflict. The third factor is the dominating groups in society that are caused by conflict over resources and the last factor are the unfair influence that the dominant groups have over society (Khromina, 2007).

Read More

Juvenile Crime Annotated Bibliography

1043 Words | 5 Pages

United States: Greenhaven Publishing. The book provides various opposing viewpoints regarding the cause of juvenile crime and how the criminal justice system should treat juvenile offenders. Each argument highlights the main risk factors for juvenile crime. For example, gang plays a large part of juvenile violence.

Read More

Risk And Protective Factors In Children Essay

1436 Words | 6 Pages

Understanding the risk and protective factors of child delinquency is imperative in order to create and implement treatment and intervention programs. Because children’s behavior develops during the first five years, it is important to know what risk and protective factors could increase the likelihood of a child becoming a child offender (Wasserman et al., 2003). Moreover, overcoming the risk factors would help prevent the child offender from becoming a juvenile, and later, adult offender. As Wasserman et al (2003) stated, “risk factors for child delinquency operate in several domains: the individual child, the child’s family, the child’s peer group, the child’s school, the child’s neighborhood, and the media” (pg.1). As one can see, children are exposed to risk in partially every aspect of their lives.

Read More

The Anomie Theory Of Juvenile Delinquency

1045 Words | 5 Pages

The set of the structural-functional theories are among the most widespread perspectives on the juvenile delinquency. The group of the theories regards that the behavior of the underage delinquent is caused by the breakdown of the social process that consequently results in the increase of conformity (Thompson & Bynum, 2016). The group of theories presumably blame institutions that are responsible for the socialization of the young delinquents for the way the socialize the individuals by causing them to conform to the values of the society. One of the central theories of the juvenile delinquency is the anomie theory that is rooted in the early studies by the sociologist Emile Durkheim.

Read More

Thesis Statement On Juvenile Delinquency

2409 Words | 10 Pages

(1994). JUVENILE OFFENDERS: WHAT WORKS? A Summary of Research

Read More

More about Juvenile Crime Theory And Empirical Study

Related Topics

Open Document