Testing Alternative Models of Delinquency Causation

Abstract

The etiological formulations by Sutherland, Hirschi and the Gluecks provide alternative explanations of the causal structure between four variables: lack of family support, delinquent definitions, delinquent associates and delinquent behavior.The Simon-Blalock method of making causal inferences from four-variable causal models is utilized to evaluate the alternative models of delinquency causation.Using two indicators of delinquent definitions, delinquent associates and delinquent behavior, partial correlation coefficients indicate little support for the models derived from the work of Sutherland or the Gluecks.The results are discussed in terms of Hirschi's social control theory and the affective ties model of Linden and Hackler.Dimensions of family interaction are related to a juvenile's involvement in delinquent behavior.'Juveniles who engage in delinquent behavior have, as associates, friends who engage in delinquent behavior. 2These two empirical regularities form the basis of competing theoretical models, each providing an alternative explanation of the causal structure which yields the observed correlations between delinquent behavior and both family interaction and delinquent associates.Four variables are common to both theories: family support, definitions favorable to law violation, delinquent associates, delinquent behavior.