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Criminology Commons

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Differential association

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Full-Text Articles in Criminology

Nonsocial Versus Social Reinforcers Contrasting Theoretical Perspectives On Repetitive Serious Delinquency And Drug Use, David May, Jennifer Stevens, Nancy Rice, G. Jarjoura Sep 2011

Nonsocial Versus Social Reinforcers Contrasting Theoretical Perspectives On Repetitive Serious Delinquency And Drug Use, David May, Jennifer Stevens, Nancy Rice, G. Jarjoura

David May

A wide variety of theoretical perspectives demonstrate an association with delinquency. Recently, a number of researchers have sought to integrate these theories into developmental models by which they explain different types of delinquency at different phases in the life-course. Using data from approximately 800 delinquents incarcerated in a Midwestern state, the authors continue those efforts by examining the association between delinquency and both nonsocial and social reinforcers over time. Their findings suggest that youth may begin their involvement in delinquency in pursuit of intrinsic gratification but continue that involvement because of the external gratification they receive from their peers. Implications …


Examining Theoretical Predicators Of Substance Use Among A Sample Of Incarcerated Youth, David May, Kelly Cooper, Irina Soderstrom, G. Jarjoura Dec 2008

Examining Theoretical Predicators Of Substance Use Among A Sample Of Incarcerated Youth, David May, Kelly Cooper, Irina Soderstrom, G. Jarjoura

David May

A wide variety of theoretical perspectives have been found to have an association with substance abuse. Most of these studies use data from samples of public school students and thus capture only part of the youth population. Using data from approximately 800 delinquents incarcerated in a Midwestern state, we examine the association between attitudes about drug and alcohol use and use of drugs and four theoretical perspectives: nonsocial reinforcement theory, social learning theory, social control theory, and strain theory. Our findings suggest that nonsocial reinforcement is the best predictor of both preference for and use of illegal substances among this …