Chapter 1: The study of juvenile delinquency

Abstract

Chapter 1 describes the purpose of this book: to cultivate an understanding of juvenile delinquency by integrating theory and research. The book is organized into four sections. The first section describes the historical transformation of the concept of juvenile delinquency and the methods and data sources that researchers use to study delinquent behavior. The second section describes the nature of delinquent offenses, offenders, and patterns of offending. The third section presents theoretical explanations of delinquency and related research findings. The fourth section considers societal responses to delinquency, particularly through formal juvenile justice systems. Chapter 1 also provides a foundation for understanding delinquency theory and research. The basic components of theory are described, as are a number of key dimensions that can be used when assessing the various theories of delinquency. The chapter closes with a brief discussion of how research is used to develop theory and to test theory. Research tackles the difficult task of establishing cause-and-effect relationships that are identified or suggested in theory.

Key Terms

• juvenile delinquency
• theory
• concepts
• propositions
• level of explanation
• inductive theorizing
• deductive theorizing
• association
• temporal order
• spurious

Outline

1. Understanding juvenile delinquency
   1. Studying juvenile delinquency
   2. The nature of delinquency
   3. Explaining delinquent behavior
   4. Responding to delinquency
2. Developing and evaluating theories of delinquency
   1. Components of theories
   2. Levels of explanation
   3. Assessing theory
3. Purposes of delinquency research
   1. Generating theory
   2. Testing theory
4. Causal analysis
5. Summary and conclusions