Factors Contributing to Juvenile Delinquency

Factors Contributing to Juvenile Delinquency

• Parental influences/dysfunctions


• Parenting style


• Responsibility-Freedom balance


• Broken family


• Peer/friend influence or problems – social


• Biological – hormone imbalance


• Biological – psychological disorder


• Traumatic event (molestation, abuse, etc.)


• Socioeconomic pressures (being poor ( “need” to steal, etc.)


• Havighurst: preparing for career


• Havighurst: assurance of economic independence


• How well complete Havighurst’s tasks


• Identity confusion


• Cognitive: frustration caused by difficulty with concrete operations


• Cognitive: late formal operations ( frustration in school, social difficulties, morality would be black & white


• Psychoanalysis: Id stronger than ego


• Moral development: egocentric(perspective reversal


• Social: Need for attention

Suicide: What to Do

Treat all references seriously
Approach directly about concern
Show interest in his/her problem
Be constructive, not critical
Offer comfort for distress
Get help

Potential for Suicide

Verbal statements
Hopelessness
Major changes in behavior & emotion
Withdrawal & isolation
Rigid thinking
Substance abuse
A plan

Teen Depression

Spells of depression are natural
Clinical depression often starts in adolescence
Persistent depression should be investigated

Peer Groups

Why does the social focus change from parents to peers during adolescence?
Why do peer groups take negative forms?

Gender Differences

Women do better on tasks of spatial perception
Women do better on verbal tasks
Men do better on mathematical skills
Women report more responsiveness to the feelings of others
Men and women are equally responsive to the feelings of others

Gender Differences

Women engage in rapport talk:

• Establish intimacy
• Negotiate relationships
• Private

Men engage in report talk:

• Exhibit knowledge
• Brag about skill
• Preserve independence
• Make others notice
• Public

Women are more sensitive to metamessages & non-verbal communication

Gender Differences

Women are less verbally and physically aggressive
Men and women can be equally assertive
Women focus on intimacy:

• Connections
• Support
• Cooperation

Men focus on independence:

• Status
• Control
• Competition

Gender Identity

Gender (sexual) identity: one’s physical and psychological identity as male or female
Gender role: expectations of society concerning male and female roles.

Are non-sexual gender differences biological or a product of our environment? Nature vs. Nurture?
Are gender differences something to be celebrated or overcome?

Identity Confusion

Diffused: no identity, no effort
Moratorium: temporary delay
Foreclosed: others’ expectations
Negative: Opposite of others’ expectations

Psychosocial Development

Stages
Erik Erikson

Stage 1: Trust vs. Distrust
Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority

Adolescence:
Stage 5: Identity vs. Identity Confusion

Identity
Clear & unique definition of self
Accurate self-concept
Acceptance of self-concept
Commitment to goals and values
Active planning & working toward goals
Confidence in future

Moral Development

Review
Lawrence Kohlberg
Pre-Conventional Stage

• Motivation: Avoid Punishment
• Motivation: Seek Reward

Conventional Stage

• Abstract thought creates ability for perspective reversal
• Life experience & learning  think about consequences

Motivations

• Social Acceptance
• Fairness & Justice