Midterm Discussion of Two Juvenile Justice Theories
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MIDTERM DISCUSSION
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Midterm Discussion of Two Juvenile Justice Theories
Caitlyn C. Blakely
Helms School of Government, Liberty University
Author Note
Caitlyn C. Blakely
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Caitlyn C. Blakely.
Email: ccblakely@liberty.edu
MIDTERM DISCUSSION
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Midterm Discussion of Two Juvenile Justice Theories
RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY
Explaining the theory.
Rational choice theory states that an individual completely controls their actions or choices. The approach emphasizes the choices and decisions of an individual altogether have no association with environmental, unconscious drives, or traditional influences. Instead, individuals use rational thinking to weigh the potential benefits they would get from the choices and the consequences or the consequences of making the same decisions (
Thomas et al., 2022). This goes the same for offenders who weigh their benefits over the risks of making their choices.
For example, if they need money to purchase a phone, the easiest way to get the gadget is to commit a burglary, but the risk is that they might be arrested or lose their life. In this context, they might see that the risk of likely being caught might be minimal, and they would benefit more from getting a phone free of charge. As such, establishing that it would be more beneficial than come with more risk, they would choose burglary. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the theory?
Strengths
Rational choice theory (RCT) insists on individual rationality and agency. By individual rationality, it means that people are always aware or know what their end goal will be while making a decision. Considering this, an individual’s behavior can be easily pre-determined and predicted. The simple explanation is that individuals are fully aware of the potential consequences of making a particular decision or choice. This leads to fully accepting the findings
because they aim to achieve a specific goal.
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Additionally, rational choice theory assumes that people will make consistent choices that
align with their utility maximization and desires. People will always act or make decisions that serve their best interests (
Frank, 2019). For example, suppose an individual believes that stealing
will help improve their living standards. In that case, they will participate in activities that will go in hand with making them reach as long as it maximizes their utility. This explains why an individual willingly engages in a particular behavior with full knowledge of the consequences of the choice or action. Lastly, the rational choice theory respects the autonomy of individuals in making their decisions. The approach allows individuals to acknowledge that they make decisions based on their goals and values. The theory also assumes that these individuals, in their right minds, thoroughly understand their actions. These individuals will see how they prefer their things done based on their desires and values. Therefore, they are at liberty to make various choices through decision-making. Weaknesses
The first limitation of this theory is that it assumes that individuals always have perfect information about their choices. The theory proposes that individuals, in their individuals, make their choices with full knowledge of the consequences. However, this is incorrect in the real world, as individuals have limited understanding of their options. The decision is always based on prediction, acting out of circumstances, and incomplete data. In some scenarios, the individuals are unaware that their actions might also affect other people's lives. Additionally, rational choice theory assumes that individuals have perfect rationality. The theory assumes that individuals make choices with their best interests and preferences at heart.
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Realistically, this is not the case because other aspects, such as cognitive and emotional biases, blind their judgment. This means they could think they are choosing to maximize their utility, but
it compromises their situation. These mental and emotional biases may have promoted them to make choices that, in the end, are not appropriate.
Lastly, rational choice theory does not consider intuitive or instinctive reasoning. The theory assumes that individuals have the perfect knowledge and information to process various information. Some limitations, such as cognitive abilities, may hinder an individual from acquiring the ideal information. In these cases, intuitive or instinctive reasoning is crucial in making decisions quickly. However, since rational choice theory does not recognize this, the choices are not the best. What is the relationship between theory and practice?
Delinquent activities are a fascinating topic of discussion because understanding the root causes of such behaviors is of absolute importance. Rational choice theory plays a fundamental role in helping to understand the occurrence of such behaviors. The theory suggests that individuals weigh the benefits and the risks before deciding. The delinquent behavior is explained on the basis that an individual considers the help they will get in committing a delinquent behavior and weighs the risk of engaging in such activities. The rational choice theory
reflects on how individuals would make their decisions. It shows their preferences, desires, values, and choices. The theory assumes that delinquent behavior results from a willingness to make reasoned decisions. For instance, when a juvenile desires a nice pair of shoes, they will steal with knowledge of the risk to satisfy their desires. The decision to steal shoes has been well reasoned and thought out, including the benefits and the risks. Therefore, this shows the close relationship between the rational choice theory and delinquency.
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Is there any evidence to support the theory and delinquency causation?
There is indeed evidence to prove that support the theory and delinquency causation. First, in property crimes, the idea has confirmed that there is causation in delinquency. In property crimes, the perpetrators engage in the activity because they know they will benefit from valuable material things. The rational theory suggests that individuals weigh the benefit from the risk of a choice. In this context, the young individual will see that if they engage in a property crime, they will acquire various material items with a sober mind that they will be caught or killed.
Additionally, some studies have been conducted that prove that rational choice theory has
a delinquency causation. Zhao et al. (2021) examine the relative utility of the theory among the adjudicated juvenile offenders incarcerated in a prison facility in the southwestern province of China. The study results showed that young offenders used the cost-benefit evaluation to decide whether to fight or steal. This means they evaluate critically what they could benefit from committing the act and weigh against the potential challenges of achieving the same actions. This
study aligns with the rational choice theory, which suggests that individuals consider the benefits
and consequences of their decision-making choices. Therefore, this is outstanding evidence that supports the RCT and delinquency causation. How is the theory critical to the understanding and control of delinquency?
Rational choice theory helps to understand the decision-making processes. The theory suggests that individuals weigh the benefits and the risks of making a decision. Delinquency behavior can be understood because the perpetrator will assess what they stand to benefit from their actions and know the potential risk of engaging in such an action. As such, the rational
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choice theory helps to understand delinquency. The perpetrators must have reasonably thought before choosing a particular option or choice. Additionally, rational choice theory helps form crucial policies and laws that influence decision-making. As stated, rational choice theory suggests that individuals will weigh the benefits and risks of a choice. The development of making the punishment for engaging in certain criminal activities will make the rewards or benefits minimal; as such, when a perpetrator
is contemplating committing a crime, they will have to weigh the benefits and the risks. However, since the risks outweigh the benefits, they will likely not engage to make that decision.
Therefore, because they will not make this decision, it will significantly help reduce delinquency.
Lastly, with a total knowledge that individuals will have reasoned out the benefits and risks of choice, situational crime prevention helps to control delinquency. Situational crime prevention means that with full knowledge of how these perpetrators, the environment is reorganized to reduce occurrences of delinquency. For example, installing security cameras like CCTV will help ensure that surveillance over properties is permanently kept. As such, delinquency will be significantly reduced because the risks will outweigh the benefits of the activity. STRAIN THEORY
Explanation of theory.
Strain theory was developed by Robert Merton, who suggested that societal values or goals lead to deviant or unacceptable behaviors. He suggests that social values like lack of quality education or insufficient income can lead to indulgence in parallel behaviors to achieve social goals (
Agnew, 2020). The strain theory is a perfect framework that can help describe or account
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for certain deviant behaviors or criminal activities. It highlights how structural factors like access
to clean chances and economic inequality can drive people into deviant behavior. Also, it is crucial to note that strain occurs when individuals cannot accept their current lifestyle and feel a need to upgrade or elevate the social ladder.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the theory?
Strengths
The first strength associated with strain theory is that it emphasizes the influence of social
structures. The approach acknowledges the impact of cultural values and social structures on individuals’ behaviors. The idea recognizes that limited opportunities and economic imbalance strain people to the point that they engage in crimes or deviant behaviors. The theory insists that an individual is pushed to the fact that they succumb to these deviant behaviors to meet their social goals. Therefore, when an individual is found guilty of deviant behaviors, it is easy to find the relationship by looking at their state socially.
Also, strain theory can help explain various crimes individuals commit. The idea is not limited to just elaborating one deviant behavior but can present different forms of crimes or deviant behavior. The main that is looked at when accessing whichever crime the individuals are found to have committed is their social values. The theory acknowledges that individuals succumb to social constraints and pressures that drive them to commit crimes. Therefore, the strain theory is comprehensive and can help us understand a wide range of offenses or deviant behaviors of individuals. Lastly, the strain theory suggests that deviant behavior can be addressed by changing the existing policies. The strain theory emphasizes the influence of social structures as the root cause
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of deviant behaviors. For example, giving people access to equal opportunities will help them fulfill their social goals and become satisfied with whatever they have in their hands, which helps
reduce deviant behaviors. However, if these disparities are not addressed, the crimes and deviant behavior will skyrocket. In a nutshell, the strain theory emphasizes addressing these disparities to
address deviant behaviors. Weaknesses
The first limitation of the strain theory is that it does not consider differences that exist in individuals. The strain theory assumes that individuals react to social constraints and pressures, so they would readily engage in deviant behaviors. However, this is not the case because different people are motivated by different factors well known to them individually. The reality is
that individuals turn to deviant behaviors with different motivations. For example, some may be just doing it because they feel like doing so, others may learn from copping from others, and others may delve into the behavior because they watched a clip that inspired them. Therefore, the strain theory does not recognize such aspects in explaining why individuals engage in crimes or deviant behaviors.
Additionally, the strain theory has limited power in predicting an individual's behaviors. The idea can only generally describe or understand why an individual engages in deviant behavior. However, it does not indicate or sign that individuals might engage in certain behaviors
before they even consider engaging in them (
Jensen, 2020). The theory comes later to analyze their social life and establish if there was a relationship that made them engage in the behaviors. This means that individuals might be thinking about engaging in the behavior, and it is hard to tell because the strain theory is limited in understanding the societal patterns of individuals.
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Lastly, strain theory is limited to specific goals that motivate individuals to engage in deviant behavior. The theory assumes that all people are primarily motivated to delve into deviant behavior to achieve material or money gains. It emphasizes that these individuals always succumb to social constraints. However, this is not true because different societies and individuals operate differently, and their motive behind deviant behavior is not limited to material gains. Therefore, the strain theory possesses cultural bias because it assumes the universal goals behind deviant behaviors. What is the relationship between theory and practice?
The Strain theory is crucial in the practice as it helps explain why individuals might engage in certain behaviors. The theory suggests that structural factors like access to clean chances and economic inequality can drive people into deviant behavior. As such, it is clear that there is a relationship between theory and practice. First, the approach provides fundamental principles that explain the cause of specific deviant behavior. The theory emphasizes social aspects such as limited access to opportunities and other social constraints as the cause of deviant
behavior. Therefore, the strain theory can provide sound guiding principles that help to analyze and conclude a particular behavior. Secondly, the theory can help in developing effective intervention strategies that help address the issue. The strain theory assumes the overall motivation of material, money, and social
success. This is the main reason emphasized by the idea that causes deviance in individuals' behaviors. With this in mind, effective measures such as educational initiatives or social support programs can help address the strains that drive people to deviant behavior. Rather than delving into punitive measures, these strategies can help to help individuals understand there is a better and more legitimate way of climbing the social ladder.
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Is there any evidence to support the theory and delinquency causation?
Yes, it is correct that there is evidence from empirical studies proving that the strain theory is linked with delinquency causation. In a nutshell, the strain theory associates social constraints and limitations with deviant behaviors. Several studies have been conducted that have
shown that this hypothesis is correct. The findings have shown that social factors greatly influence the causation of delinquency. Delcea et al. (2019) explore the factors most likely to cause juvenile delinquency. This study used a sample of 60 young individuals to establish several factors that cause deviant behaviors. The results of the study showed a surprising revelation about delinquency behaviors. The findings showed that a boy aged 15-16 from a family with disorganized financial situations would likely delve into deviant behavior. This was mainly because of their financial condition, which meant they could not meet their social needs. To meet these needs, the easiest way they can get them is to engage in deviant activities. Therefore, this is good evidence that helps prove the relationship between strain theory and delinquency causation.
How is the theory critical to the understanding and control of delinquency?
Strain theory is crucial in understanding delinquent behavior and indulgence in deviant behavior. The strain theory suggests that social constraints, such as economic inequality, force young individuals to indulge in deviant behaviors. The strain theory emphasizes these social structures that individuals will see as unfair and act in a manner to achieve a higher social standard. For example, if their friends in the neighborhood have bicycles, they are likely to engage in deviant behavior to get one for themselves. When a young individual has been found guilty of a crime or deviant behavior, the social life is looked at thoroughly. For example, after
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the analysis, it is found that they are poor. They likely engaged in that behavior or act to get something they could not afford. Therefore, strain theory helps establish the root cause of delinquency by analyzing social life. The strain theory that suggests social structures and cultural values as causes of delinquency can also help formulate policies. The strain theory that explains the causes of deviant behaviors can help in formulating policies that help tackle these issues. For example, developing social policies helps address the social structures that drive these young individuals from engaging in deviant crimes. This allows young individuals to embrace legitimate and legal ways to achieve their social goals. By adopting this, delinquent behavior will be reduced substantially because young individuals will see the limitations of deviant behavior.
Which theory do you think does the best job of explaining the causation of delinquency?
The rational choice theory suggests that individuals would choose analysis of the benefits
and the consequences. This helps to understand the delinquency behavior because they might have done the analysis when arriving at their decisions. On the other hand, the strain theory stipulates that social structures and cultural values cause a deviation in behaviors. With these two
explanations in mind, I believe no specific approach could help explain the causation of delinquency (
Nagy & Groves, 2021). This is because delinquency is motivated by different factors, which is crucial to look at it from various angles. As such, both of these theories are fundamental in helping to establish an understating of the causation of delinquency. Both these theories are crucial to give a comprehensive analysis of deviant behaviors. The rational choice theory evaluates the cost and the benefits of their choices. This is a perspective where individuals establish their behaviors' gains and risks. The strain theory gives a
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perspective of the social constraints and pressures that drive people into these behaviors. If we had relied on the cost and benefits point of view, we would have missed the idea of the social structures. In a nutshell, we need both these theories to have an in-depth and comprehensive overview of the causation of delinquency.
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References
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