The Dynamics of Delinquent Peers and Delinquent Behavior: Theory Evaluation

Abstract

This article seeks understanding peer association and the causes of delinquent behaviors, the relationships of peer behaviors and the delinquency itself. The data from National Youth Survey are used to estimate cross-legged panel model that corrects the measurement error in indicators of delinquent peers and delinquent behavior. An emphasis of this research paper falls on Wilson’s arguments about reducing juvenile delinquency through deterrence philosophy, and Matsueda and Anderson’s theory of delinquency on peer influence that impact delinquency.  Authors of these theories made attempts to explain not only the peer influence and their delinquent acts, but also how the delinquent peers cause delinquency. Results show that, the origin of delinquency is still unknown, due to the fact that peers may influence delinquency, but it is not clear where this learning process began. Peer influence and delinquency may be interrelated. Further studies are needed to understand the learning process of delinquency.