This is a psychology question regarding Juvenile Justice. Tommy comes from a low

Question

This is a psychology question regarding Juvenile Justice.

Tommy comes from a lower class family. His childhood appears to be normal, but when he starts school, he does poorly and does not pay attention in class. He also starts to notice the material things that some of his classmates have that he does not. He starts stealing from local stores. He was caught stealing an expensive pair of shoes. The police came and arrested Tommy. He was placed in detention and was eventually adjudicated delinquent. After his peers and teachers learn about what happened to Tommy, they begin to treat him differently. The would not trust leaving items around him and began referring to him as a “thief.” He became an outcast at school. He began to associate with others that engaged in similar behavior as himself. He continued to commit other acts of delinquency. What social theories can be used to explain Tommy’s behavior? Of these theories, which one best explains his behavior and why?

Explanation / Answer

In the given case scenario, tommy has become delinquent due to the material things that he has been lookingat at different classmates. due to this lack of amenities and lack of affordability, he begins to steal things from local stores. on being caught and being labelled as delinquent, his classmates begin to distinguish him and behave with him in different forms.

there have been different theories put forward for juvenile delinquency, which is this case is because of a lower social economic status and then the peer group association. this could be explained through

- the strain theory, which states that crime would be observed in people who are coming from poor backgrounds, to achieve goals that are socially legitmate. using criminal means in attaining these goals, have taken tommy on this path.

- further, this was strenghtened through the theory of differential association. after his first crime, there were differences in treatment by the peers and the classmates, with constant rejection, that led tommy indulge in groups involved in similar activities.

- also explained by the labeling theory, where, tommy had been labeled as delinquent leading to the differences in behaviors.

- the best theories explaining this behavior are strain theory and labeling theory.

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