Peer acceptance and delinquency in adolescence
Date
1998
Authors
Semplinski, Paula Marie
Major Professor
Advisor
Lempers, Jacques
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Abstract
This study evaluated the relationship between peer acceptance and delinquency in adolescence by comparing two theories of deviance - self-control theory and social learning theory. The study also examined the claim that rejected adolescents are more delinquent than neglected adolescents. A total of 510 high school juniors were surveyed from a midwestern high school using a self report survey on rates of delinquency, self-control, self-esteem, drug use, and association with delinquent peers. A model was constructed using variables from both the self-control theory and the social learning theory. Self-control theory predicts that adolescents are rejected by peers, associate with delinquent peers, and become delinquent because of an underlying tendency of low self-control.
Social learning theory predicts adolescents who are rejected by conventional peers begin to associate with delinquent peers and become delinquent themselves. The results did not support the hypothesis that rejected adolescents reported higher rates of delinquency and drug use than neglected adolescents. Path analysis was used to compare the two models of deviance. A model combining the two theories was most acceptable. All correlations in the path-analytic model were significant indicating self-control and social learning may be related in complex, mutually reinforcing ways.
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thesis