THEORIES OF

DELINQUENCY
Odhezza F. Fajilagmago, RCrim
 DIFFERENTIAL OPPORTUNITY THEORY

Delinquent subcultures, according to

Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin , flourish in
the lower classes and take forms so that the
means for illegitimate success are no mor
equally distributed than the means for
legitimate success.
 THREE TYPES OF DELINQUENTS GANGS

THE CRIMINAL GANG CONFLICT/VIOLENT GANG THE RETREATIST GANG

● Emerge in areas where ● Non stable and non ● Is equally unsuccessful in
conventional as well as non integrated , where there is legitimate as well as an
conventional values of an absence of criminal illegitimate means. They
behavior are integrated by a organization resulting in are known as double
close connection of illegitimate instability. This gangs aims failures, thus retreating
and legitimate businesses. to find reputation for into a world of sex, drugs
● This type of gang is stable than toughness and destructive and alcohol.
the ones to follow. Older violence.
criminal skills to the
youngsters.
 CLASS CONFLICT THEORY

According to Richard Quinney and William

Chambliss, conflict theory is based upon the
view of the fundamental causes of crime are
the social and economic forces operating
within the society.
 CLASS CONFLICT THEORY

The criminal justice system and criminal law

are thought to be operating in behalf of rich
and the powerful social elites , with resulting
polices aimed at controlling the poor.
 DIFFERENTIAL OPPRESION THEORY
• JOHN D. HEWITT and ROBERT REGOLI
proposed that much serious juvenile
delinquency is the product of oppression of
children by adults, particularly within the
context of the family.
• The more oppressed the child is , the more
likely he or she become delinquent.
 Social learning THEORY
• The theory that behaviour is modelled through
observation either directly through intimate
contact with others, or indirectly through media,
the interactions that are rewarded as copied.
• The family may served as training ground for
violence since the child perceive physical
punishment as the norm during conflict situations
with others.
 DRIFT THEORY
• Proposed that juveniles sense a moral
obligation to be bound by the law. Such a
bind between a person and the law remains
in place most of the time, they argue. When
it is not in place, delinquents will drift.
 SOCIAL CONTROL THEORY
• The perspective states that members in
society form bonds with other members in
the society or institution in society such as
parents, prosocial friends, churches ,schools.
The social bonds includes the ties and
affection that develop between children and
key people in their lives.
 4 CENTRAL ELEMENTS TO BONDING
ATTACHMENT INVOLVEMENT
Refers to the extent that a person It refers to the time spent in
cares about other people via conventional activities ; if these
norms and conscience. The occupy a youngster's entire day
strength of the attachments, or , delinquent incidents cannot
ties one has to significant others take place.
or to institutions can inhibit
deviance

COMMITMENT BELIEF
People who think it is wrong to
It represents the investment
violate a particular law will not
one has already built up in
probably not violate it.
conventional society.
Constitutes the acknowledgment
of society’s rule of being fair.
 DIFFERENTIAL OPPORTUNITY THEORY

Delinquent subcultures, according to

Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin , flourish in
the lower classes and take forms so that the
means for illegitimate success are no mor
equally distributed than the means for
legitimate success.
 INTERACTIONAL THEORY

Originated by Terrence Thornberry, he

viewed that weakening a child's social bond
as the fundamental cause of delinquency.
 SELF CONTROL THEORY
Suggests that defiance simply results from
the individual's inability to effectively
control his/her impulses.
 CULTURE DEVIANCE THEORY
• Links delinquent acts to the formation of
independent subcultures with a unique set
of values that clash with the mainstream
culture.
• Argues that children learnt deviant
behaviour socially through exposure to
others and modelling of others action.
 RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
• Argues that deviance is a result of highly
calculating risks and awards. Prospective
deviants weigh their own chance of gain
against the risk of getting caught, and
thereby decide a course of action.
 ATTENTION DEFICIENT HYPERACTIVITY
THEORY
• The theory that explained that juvenile
delinquency is caused by immaturity and
hyperactivity.
 FRUSTRATION AGGRESSION THEORY
• People who are frustrated will act
aggressively, and people who engage in
aggression are frustrated first.
EVIDENCE NECESSARY FOR CONVICTION
AGGRESSION IMPLICIT
A behavior whose goal is to Like wishing someone is
inflict damage or injury in dead
some object or person

OVERT FRUSTRATION
A behavioural directed at
Physical or verbal anticipated goals or expectations
or a person must have expected
the attainment of a goal or
achievement in order to be
frustrated.