Abstract
This paper presents a case study which illustrates how latent traits and environmental factors combine to create delinquent behavior. Specifically, the paper explores the family life of a troubled teen and the failed interventions which sought to rescue him from a life of crime. The paper also looks at the consequences of the young person's actions and considers how his behavior fits in with orthodox descriptions of delinquent behavior. Finally, the paper discusses and analyzes the social control theory and the self-control theory which offer potential explanations for his behavior and suggests that one of them appears to offer a more accurate insight into "Steven's" plight than the other.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Self-Control Theory and Delinquent Behavior

From the Paper
"Ultimately, this writer believes that both the social control theory and the self-control theory offer significant explanations for Steve's delinquency. However, the self-control theory actually appears rather more pertinent insofar as Steven was, by all accounts, a rebellious and even violent child from a very early age. As well, it is commonly known that his parents were dominant factors in his early life - because of social isolation, he spent far more time with them than with anyone else (he was, in fact, home-schooled at one point by his mother) - and both Steven's father and his grandfather had serious "run-ins" with the law. This evidence suggests that a genetic predisposition to antisocial behavior may run in the family and, to the extent this is true, then Steven's problems are the manifestation of a latent trait that has always been there and perhaps will always be there."

Tags:rebellious, social, violence, antisocial

Abstract
This paper looks at a case study which illustrates how latent traits and environmental factors combine to create delinquent behavior. Specifically, the paper explores the family life of a trouble teen and the failed interventions which sought to rescue him from a life of crime. The paper also looks at the consequences of the young person's actions and considers how his behavior fits in with orthodox descriptions of delinquent behavior. Finally, the paper looks at two theories which offer potential explanations for the young person's behavior and suggests that one of them appears to offer a more accurate insight into "Steven's" plight than the other - although both social control theory and self-control theory (the one eventually favored) have their merits in this instance.

Tags:self, control, theory

Abstract
The paper discusses how social structure theories attempt to analyze the driving forces that change society and that sociologists who study social change use the study of both criminology and sociology to draw conclusions about criminal behavior. The paper further explains that the three main branches of social structure theories are the social disorganization theory, the social strain theory and the cultural deviance theory. In this paper, the major social structural theories are defined and analyzed. The culmination of this paper addresses the question - How well have social structure theories explained delinquent behavior in society?

From the Paper
"The strain theories express the discontent of Americans who fail to achieve the American dream. Crimes committed by white collar, middle class workers can be explained by the strain theories. An example of this is workplace violence, which, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics Crime Characteristics accounts for 18 percent of all violent crime between 1993 and 1999 . Unfortunately, it is not unheard of for a worker who was recently fired to return to his old employer to vent his anger by opening fire on anyone in site. Such violence demonstrates how competition to succeed prompts crime as the anomie theory contends."

Tags:social, ecological, theory, Millers, Focal, Concern

Abstract
The paper looks at the various reasons for people's criminal behavior as well as the biological, sociological and psychological theories explaining their actions. The paper also analyzes the role of learning in murder and shows that murderers are not born but learn their behavior based on their environment.

From the Paper
"In the world of criminology, the most interesting crimes are not necessarily the most common crimes. Serial killers, mass murders, and spree murders are given fame for their crime even though their murders only account for approximately three or four percent of murders. People are interested in these murderers because their acts are surprising and unexplainable for the average person."

Tags:psychology, stress, family, conflict, delinquency, publicity

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that it is often argued that juveniles are victims of circumstances and bad environments. Further, the writer points out that it is said that they come from "broken homes", "dysfunctional families", and "deteriorated neighborhoods" lacking any "internal community support". The writer discusses the relevance of this theory with the "rational" choice theory that criminal behavior is a matter of personal choice. The writer examines the issue of whether youths engage in criminal activities due to their dysfunctional environments or whether they thoughtfully plan, organize and rationalize their criminal activity. Social control and rational choice theories are compared to determine whether youths are victims of their environments or they specifically choose criminal activity regardless of their upbringings.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Youth Development
Theories Examined
Social Control Theory
Rational Choice Theory
Conclusion

From the Paper
" Social control theory can provide explanations to why the majority of incarcerated youths are from poor environments. The theory is criticized for not explaining why juveniles from stable positive environments commit crimes. The concept of white collar criminals is somewhat contrary to social control theories. Youths have risen from poverty, dysfunctional families, poor schooling, deteriorated neighborhoods and criminal peers to become well functioning productive members of society. An unstable difficult environment does not necessarily produce juvenile delinquency as social control theorists would suggest. Numerous negative factors do affect whether a child becomes prone to criminal activity but there are no solid rules or clear explanations."

Tags:victims, environments, circumstances, punishment

Abstract
This paper presents a case study of a sixteen-year old girl who, along with two friends, has been charged with assault and fraud. The paper discusses Aker's social learning theory which operates on seven basic principles to explain criminal behavior and explores these principles. The paper then analyzes the general strain theory (GST) on criminal behavior. Finally, the paper integrates the theories and discusses how they apply to the case study.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Joyce's Story
Theory Evaluation # 1 - Aker's Social Learning Theory
Theory Evaluation #2 - General Strain Theory
Theory Integration
Conclusion: Policy/Practice Implications

From the Paper
"The theories work somewhat in addressing weaknesses in their complement. Aker's theory that criminal behavior is learned is refuted by research demonstrating that delinquent behavior proceeds criminal social attachments. GST would state this is because the cause of criminal behavior is emotional and is therefore the result of the individual, not the individual's peers (though this emotion is spurred by outside forces). GST's emphasis on emotive responses also explains why some crimes are not committed for material benefit - a factor Aker credits as instrumental in the crime process. GST's failure to acknowledge the higher proportion of male crimes (as compared to crimes committed by females) may be accounted for in Aker's theory of social learning and material benefit, but not enough research has been done on the topic to confirm this. Also, the simplicity implicit in GST and its inability to adequately distinguish between types of strain may be explained using Aker's Social Learning Theory. Perhaps some strains are linked to delinquency when there is an obvious benefit, and types strain not linked with crime may produce not obvious advantage for the individual."

Tags:GST, delinquent, juvenile, crimes, cognitive-behavioral

Abstract
This paper examines how, in many contemporary criminology texts, theories concerning criminal behavior are generally classified according to some biological, psychological, or sociological perspective. It looks at how, in recent years, however, several theories of criminal behavior have appeared that make such simple categories inadequate for the complexities that have been identified in such analysis and how these new behavioral theories have specifically combined both biological and social environmental variables in their explanations of people's varying tendencies to commit crime. It reviews nine such categories of criminal behavior, followed by an analysis and summary of the research in the conclusion.

Outline
Introduction
Review and Discussion.
Classical
Psychobiological
Sociological
Conflict
Emergent
Biological
Psychological
Social-Psychological
Phenomenological
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This category of crime holds that criminal behavior is caused by exercise of free will and criminal responsibility. The classical theory of criminal behavior was prevalent prior to "modern" criminology's search for the causes of crime, which did not begin until the nineteenth century. Classical theory did not attempt to explain why people commit crime but was rather a strategy for administering justice according to rational principles (Garland, 1985). Classical theory was based on assumptions about how people living in the emerging historical period of seventeenth-century Europe, called the "Classical period" or "Enlightenment era," began to reject the traditional idea that people were fixed social types (e.g., landed gentry and serfs) with vastly different rights and privileges."

Tags:delinquency, felony, juvenile, penology, prison, recidivism

Abstract
The paper discusses the origins, strengths and weaknesses of gender-based theories of criminal behavior and whether they are consensus-based or conflict-based. The paper discusses how gender-based theories of crime are often neglected in investigation into crime theory. The paper explains that such dismissals are erroneous, not only because they ignore the role women play in crime but because they dismiss discussion over why males are so proportionally involved in crime.

Outline:
Introduction
The Birth of Gender-Based Crime Theories
Contemporary Gender-Based Crime Theories
Strengths and Weaknesses of Gender-Based Theories of Criminal Behaviour
Gender-based Theories of Crime as Conflict or Consensus-Based Approaches
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The lack of theoretical investigation into gender-based schemas of crime has been noted by contemporary criminologists. This is strange, given that gender is clearly a notable factor in criminal and delinquent behaviour: only 7 percent of prison inmates and 11 percent of jail inmates are female, and women comprise only 14% of sworn officers in large police departments (Flavin, 2003, p. 225). So why is gender and its relationship to crime so often overlooked in academic circles? Past inattention to the issue has been somewhat redressed in recent times based on a growing number of gender-based theories of criminal behaviour. The sum of these theories generally relate to the "invisibility" of women in a patriarchal society defined by paternalism, sexism and traditional notions of chivalry. Gender theories of criminal behaviour generally revolve around two schools of thought: that of criticizing traditional male approaches to crime study and of developing "gender-sensitive interpretations of deviance and a consideration of the nature of female criminality" (Williams & McShane, 2004, p. 254)."

Tags:delinquency, males, females, feminism, consensus-based, conflict-based

Abstract
This paper examines the long history of the rule-of-law concept and its influence on many areas of public activity. The paper notes that this theory has had different and at times conflicting interpretations. The paper specifically addresses theories of criminal and delinquent behavior especially the social bond or social control theory. The paper concludes that, when discussing criminology and criminal justice theory, one must rely on their own moral instincts to assure the dignity of the person and society's faith in fairness.

Outline:
Introduction
Political Society
Political Traditions
American And French Revolutions
Rule Of Law
Criminal Justice
Self Control Theories
Institutional Performance
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Individuals are capable of directing their own lives and fortune and of making their aid to civic well-being. Most lines of action in a society are conventional. These fundamental objectives are put in danger by uncontrolled criminality and by subjective responses of countervailing power by public officers or by laws as unsure in their meanings and applications as to deteriorate the sense of security of individual members of society; furthermore, the criminal justice system is the great educator."

Tags:rule-of-law administration conforming, political authority, perplexing questions

Abstract
Social Structure Theories and Social Processes Theories are often used interchangeably. This essay highlights the fundamental differences outlining social structure and social process theories. In order to compare these theories, the paper draws attention to the various theories of juvenile delinquency and the difference of perspective involved and the obtrusive causes outlined by the distinct theories for engagement in criminal acts at a young age. Two different theories are presented attempting to explain juvenile delinquency, presenting various facets of adolescent criminal behavior and the possible causes of such behavior.

From the Paper
"One of the major challenges faced by the law-making authorities of the United States today is the reduction of juvenile delinquency and to increase the effectiveness of lawful regulations in the country. The alarming augmentation in crime rate at adolescent echelon is the most worrisome problem facing America therefore researchers and experts of the related field have developed various theories regarding juvenile delinquency outlining motivations and reasons behind the existence and the frequency of crime at juvenile stage. In order to well-comprehend the perspective of various philosophies related to juvenile delinquency, it is highly essential to know what juvenile delinquency is about."

Tags:crime, children, philosophy, theory, adolescent, strain