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Deviant Behavior Theories

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ABSTRACT

The question still remains as to the correlation between behavioral variables such as drugs, gang violence, unstableness of families, etc. and how they are important tools when explaining deviant behavior. These tools are often developed into theories in order to attempt an explanation and prevent initial and/or future deviant behavior in juveniles. All causation theories will be explained through the content of this research paper because no single theory is sufficient in trying to explain why juvenile delinquent behavior exists. However, this paper will significantly highlight on the psychological theories. Next, certain treatment and prevention interventions will be addressed as it relates to the attempts of controlling delinquency. …show more content…

Psychological theories of juveniles focuses on various explanations of deviant behavior including: juveniles do not identify what they are doing is criminally wrong because they are morally insane; due to personality traits that are developed in early childhood years, the future behavior of a juvenile is determined in early childhood; and certain individuals have strong personalities so deviant that they have little or no control over their impulses. Defining psychological theories would consists of explanations that link criminal behavior with mental conditions, antisocial personality traits, and early psychological or moral development (Champion, p. 89). As such, psychoanalytic and the social learning theories are two great theories that will focus on the human psyche to help explain …show more content…

As such delinquency prevention programs often are designed towards early interventions with at-risk youths. Many attempts are implemented by public agencies and professionals to intervene by way of early training and educational programs within the public school systems as well as community intervention programs. OJJDP offers a Model Programs Guide which is a database of evidence-based programs that provide strategies for delinquency prevention and intervention. The categories of prevention and intervention include: immediate and intermediate sanctions, residential and reentry. The model measures risk and protective factors in the five areas of community, family, school, peers, and the individual and as such ascertains which programs are best according to the needs of the delinquent youth (Champion, Merlo and Benekos, 2013). Additionally, the Blueprints for Violence Prevention Initiative is The Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP) comepresenhive effort to provide communities with certain programs wherein their effectiveness has been scientifically demonstrated. The Blueprints for Violence Prevention Initiative was launched by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (SSPV) at the University of Colarado at Boulder. The initiative provides the

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