NCJ Number
9699
Date Published
1971
Length
223 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN CLASS MEMBERSHIP AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
SPECIFICALLY, THE TESTED THEORY STATES THAT THE LOWER SOCIAL CLASS OF AN INDIVIDUAL, THE LOWER HIS SUBSEQUENT ACHIEVEMENT. DECREASED ACHIEVEMENT RESULTS IN INCREASED DETACHMENT FROM SOCIETAL INSTITUTIONS AND A STATE OF TENSION, WHICH IN TURN RESULTS IN IDENTIFICATION WITH DELINQUENT PEERS. THIS IDENTIFICATION IS HYPOTHESIZED TO RESULT IN DELINQUENCY. THE THEORY IS NARRATIVELY EXPANDED, STATED IN FORMAL AND OPERATIONAL TERMS, AND THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IS DESCRIBED. THE AUTHORS EXAMINE DATA WHICH WAS GATHERED IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AND THROUGHOUT UTAH, AND ANALYZE THEIR DELINQUENCY THEORY PROPOSITION BY PROPOSITION. CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO THE ADEQUACY OF THE ENTIRE AND COMPLEX SEQUENCE OF EVENTS SUGGESTED BY THE THEORY. AN ASSESSMENT OF IMPLICATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THEORETICAL REFORMULATION, IN LIGHT OF THE EMPIRICAL FINDINGS, IS MADE. PERSONS INTERESTED IN PROBLEMS OF THEORETICAL LOGIC AND RESEARCH WILL FIND THIS WORK OF VALUE SINCE A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION IS PAID TO THE PROBLEMS OF THEORY CONSTRUCTION AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, AS WELL AS TO THE SUBSTANTIVE FINDINGS. (SNI ABSTRACT)