PSYC 363 Chapter 6 -- Juvenile delinquency

Juvenile delinquency

Behavior committed by an individual who is not yet an adult

Status offense

Behaviors that are considered inappropriate but may not be crimes

Youthful offenders

Individuals who commit offenses while still considered minors

Social definition of delinquency

Many youthful behaviors are considered inappropriate and may or may not be crimes

Informal probation

A resolution method usually through school for juvenile offenders

Diversion programs

Interventions aimed at redirecting youthful offenders away from formal judicial proceedings

Psychological definition of delinquency

Characterized by misbehavior that is habitual and may not be harmful to others

Conduct Disorder (CD)

Represents behaviors characterized by habitual misbehavior

Antisocial behavior

Serious habitual misbehavior, especially if it hurts others

Unlawful person act

Violent crimes similar to adult crimes, such as aggravated assault, robbery, and sexual assault

Unlawful property act

Property crimes including burglary, larceny, and vandalism

Drug offenses

Acts that are against the law just because the person is a minor

National Center for Juvenile Justice

Covers issues like running away, truancy, ungovernability, and underage drinking

PINS laws

Laws related to Persons In Need of Supervision

Serious delinquent

Includes violent and extensive property crimes with high recidivism

Girls Study Group (GSG)

Covers peer violence, violence in schools, and family violence

Association with bad peers

An important factor in delinquency

Moffitt's developmental theory

Identifies two types of offenders: Life Course Persistent Offenders (LCPs) and Adolescence Limited Offenders (AL)

Steinberg's dual systems theory

Adolescents reach a peak of logical reasoning at age 16, but psychosocial maturity is less developed

Coercion developmental theory

Major psychosocial contributors to early onset delinquency include poor parental monitoring and inconsistent discipline

Callous unemotional trait theory

Severe and chronic antisocial behavior that persists beyond Conduct Disorder

Primary prevention

Universal prevention designed to prevent delinquent behavior before it emerges

Secondary prevention

Targets high-risk individuals for early detection and intervention

Tertiary prevention

Treatment designed to reduce serious delinquency or antisocial behavior as it happens

Multisystemic therapy

Focuses on family and includes changes in disciplinary measures and reduction in time with bad peers

Functional family therapy

Similar to Multisystemic Therapy, it provides intensive treatment services within the family setting