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A 6 page research paper that examines several delinquency theories (social control, strain, arousal and age-graded theory) as to how they explain the delinquent behavior of shoplifting and break-and-entering. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
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6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khshpbae.rtf
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examines the behaviors of shoplifting and breaking-and-entering, as seen through the prism provided by delinquency theoretical perspective. Some experts believe that delinquency is a conscious choice founded on core values
(Goff and Goddard, 1999). Referred to as social control theory, this perspective views predatory crime as stemming from a need for peer approval and a feeling of being respected by
ones friends (Goff and Goddard, 1999). It has also been proposed that delinquent behavior is a rational choice made by individuals who are frustrated in their attempts to reach their
goals by legitimate means (Goff and Goddard, 1999). Hoffman (2003) further explains social control theory by connecting behavior to the existence, or non-existence, of bonds to the larger social community.
In other words, when community disorganization exists it reduces the social support networks that would normally work to counteract delinquent behaviors (Hoffman, 2003). In general, social bonds, "such as attachment
and involvement in conventional activities," can work has prohibitions against deviant behavior (Hoffman, 2003). Strain theory takes a different perspective and sees delinquent behavior as being produced "when there
is a gap between security needs and the means to fulfill those needs" (Goff and Goddard, 1999, p. 47). It suggests that adolescents focus on a variety of goals and
that blockage of these goals can result in delinquency that indicates that deviant behavior is an illegitimate method for achieving desires and states, which explains why delinquency is a social
phenomenon that crosses across all social classes (Goff and Goddard, 1999). While strain theory is a sociologically oriented perspective, Hoffman (2003) points out that it also has an individual-level component,
in that, the "strain of pursuing goals within diverse opportunity structures may lead to adaptations such as crime, delinquency and other deviant behaviors" (p. 753). Furthermore, Hoffman argues that it
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