Juvenile Table Assignment 1 Learner's Name Combating Juvenil ✓ Solved

Juvenile Table Assignment1learners Namecombating Juve

Define the criminology theories listed in the first column, including Psychological and Sociological theories such as Psychodynamic Theory, Behavioral Theory, Moral Development Theory, Personality Theory, Cultural Deviance Theory, Strain Theory, and Social Control Theory. For each theory, review the profiles of juvenile delinquents using the Crime Library Website and select a child whose behavior aligns with the respective theory. Additionally, explain the reasons for matching each child to the specific theory to demonstrate understanding of how each theory explains juvenile delinquent behavior.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Juvenile delinquency remains a critical concern within criminology, demanding a comprehensive understanding of its underlying causes. Theoretical frameworks—psychological and sociological—offer invaluable insights into juvenile offending behaviors. This paper aims to define key criminological theories, match juvenile profiles to these theories, and elucidate the rationale behind each association. Understanding these connections can guide effective intervention strategies and policy formulation aimed at reducing juvenile delinquency.

Definitions of Criminology Theories

Psychodynamic Theory

The psychodynamic theory, rooted in Freudian psychology, posits that juvenile delinquent behavior results from unconscious conflicts, personality structures, and early childhood experiences. This perspective emphasizes the role of unconscious impulses, unresolved internal conflicts, and developmental disruptions that influence behavior (Freud, 1923). Juveniles exhibiting delinquent acts may have experienced neglect, trauma, or family dysfunction, leading to maladaptive behaviors as expressions of internal emotional struggles.

Behavioral Theory

The behavioral theory argues that juvenile delinquency is learned through interactions with the environment, emphasizing the importance of reinforcement, modeling, and exposure to deviant behaviors. Behaviorists like Skinner (1953) suggest that delinquent acts are acquired through reward or punishment mechanisms, and thus, altering environmental contingencies can modify behavior. Juveniles engaging in criminal acts may have been reinforced for such conduct or learned antisocial behaviors through peer influence and media exposure.

Moral Development Theory

The moral development theory, pioneered by Kohlberg (1969), asserts that juvenile offenders exhibit deficits or delays in moral reasoning. They may operate at pre-conventional levels of moral thinking, which are characterized by self-interest and obedience, rather than considering societal norms or morality. Delinquent behavior arises when youth lack the capacity for higher moral judgment, leading to disregarding the rights of others.

Personality Theory

Personality theories propose that individual personality traits and inherent dispositions contribute to delinquent behavior. Traits such as impulsivity, low self-control, or aggressiveness predispose some juveniles to commit crimes (Eysenck, 1964). These stable personality characteristics influence decision-making processes, emotional regulation, and reactions to stress, heightening the likelihood of delinquent conduct.

Sociological Theories

Cultural Deviance Theory

The cultural deviance theory suggests that juvenile delinquency results from conformity to the values and norms of subcultures that are in conflict with mainstream society. When juveniles are socialized into deviant subcultures that endorse criminal behaviors, they are more likely to engage in delinquency (Miller, 1958). This perspective emphasizes the influence of peer groups, community environment, and cultural transmission in shaping juvenile conduct.

Strain Theory

Strain theory posits that juveniles resort to delinquency when they experience a disconnect between societal goals and legitimate means of achieving them (Merton, 1938). Limited access to resources, education, or employment fosters feelings of frustration and resentment, prompting youth to adopt criminal methods to attain success or ease frustration.

Social Control Theory

The social control theory, formulated by Hirschi (1969), argues that strong bonds to family, school, and community inhibit juvenile delinquency. When these bonds weaken or are absent, juveniles are more susceptible to engaging in delinquent acts. This theory emphasizes the importance of social institutions in maintaining social order and guiding behavior.

Matching Juvenile Profiles to Theories and Justification

Child A: The Impulsive and Defiant Juvenile

This juvenile exhibits impulsivity, difficulty controlling anger, and defiance of authority. Based on these traits, I would match this child to the Personality Theory, specifically traits like low self-control and impulsivity (Eysenck, 1964). These characteristics predispose the juvenile to impulsive, risk-taking behaviors, including criminal acts. The propensity for aggressive responses and difficulty regulating emotions aligns with personality-based explanations for delinquency.

Child B: The Juvenile Influenced by Peer Deviance

This juvenile is heavily influenced by peer groups that endorse criminal activity. They have adopted behaviors consistent with delinquent peer culture. The best fit is the Cultural Deviance Theory, which emphasizes the role of subcultural norms in shaping behavior (Miller, 1958). The juvenile’s environment and peer influence promote compliance with deviant norms that facilitate criminal acts.

Child C: The Adolescents with Strained Aspirations

This juvenile exhibits feelings of frustration due to limited access to education and economic opportunities, leading to resentment and delinquency. The Strain Theory explains this behavior as a response to societal pressures and the inability to achieve culturally prescribed goals through legitimate means (Merton, 1938). The strain experienced fosters delinquent adaptations aimed at attaining success.

Child D: The Child with Weak Social Bonds

This juvenile isolated from family, schools, and community supports shows little attachment or commitment to social institutions. This scenario aligns with the Social Control Theory, which posits that weakened social bonds increase susceptibility to delinquency (Hirschi, 1969). The lack of social regulation provides opportunities and motivation for engaging in criminal acts.

Child E: The Youth with Developmental or Emotional Disorders

This juvenile displays symptoms of defiance, emotional disturbances, and impaired moral reasoning. The Psychodynamic Theory aptly explains their delinquency as stemming from early trauma, family dysfunction, and unconscious conflicts affecting behavior (Freud, 1923). These internal struggles influence the juvenile’s decision-making and emotional responses.

Child F: The Behaviorally Reinforced Offender

This juvenile’s criminal acts are reinforced by peer approval and media exposure. The Behavioral Theory suggests that delinquent acts are learned behaviors reinforced by positive outcomes (Skinner, 1953). The juvenile’s environment and social interactions serve to perpetuate these behaviors.

Child G: The Juvenile with Moral Reasoning Deficits

This juvenile demonstrates a lack of mature moral judgment, often justifying illegal acts as acceptable. Kohlberg’s Moral Development Theory indicates that this juvenile functions at a pre-conventional level, where moral reasoning is primarily self-interest oriented (Kohlberg, 1969). This immature moral reasoning diminishes internal constraints against delinquency.

Child H: The Violent Offender with Aggressive Traits

This juvenile exhibits high impulsivity, aggression, and low frustration tolerance, fitting the Personality Theory’s traits of elevated impulsiveness and aggressiveness (Eysenck, 1964). These personality traits predispose to violent and delinquent behavior.

Child I: The Juvenile Experiencing Family Dysfunction

This juvenile comes from a chaotic home environment marked by neglect and family conflict. The Psychodynamic Theory links this background to internal conflicts and emotional disturbances influencing delinquency (Freud, 1923). Early familial experiences impact subsequent behavior patterns.

Child J: The Adolescent with Deviant Subcultural Influences

This juvenile is part of a subculture that endorses criminal behaviors, often engaging in theft, vandalism, or drug use. The Cultural Deviance Theory explains this through the transmission of deviant norms within subcultures that diverge from mainstream societal values (Miller, 1958).

Conclusion

Understanding juvenile delinquency through various criminological theories allows practitioners to tailor interventions more effectively. Aligning juvenile profiles with theoretical frameworks offers insights into the root causes of delinquent behavior and informs prevention strategies. This analysis underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach, integrating psychological and sociological perspectives, in addressing juvenile criminality.

References

• Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 4, 162–165.
• Eysenck, H. J. (1964). Crime and personality. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
• Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of delinquency. University of California Press.
• Kohlberg, L. (1969). Stage and sequence: The cognitive-developmental approach to socialization. In D. A. Goslin (Ed.), The psychology of moral development (pp. 31-206). Harper & Row.
• Merton, R. K. (1938). Social structure and anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672-682.
• Miller, W. (1958). Lower class culture as a generating environment of juvenile deliquency. Journal of Social Issues, 14(2), 5-19.
• Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Free Press.
• Freud, S. (1923). The ego and the id. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 4, 162–165.
• Additional sources as deemed credible and relevant should be included accordingly.