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Interaction of Biological and Psychological Traits with the Social Environment Produces Delinquency

Contemporary biosocial and psychological theorists recognize that it is the interaction of biological and psychological traits with the social environment that produces delinquency. While studies of the development of delinquency have identified a number of risk factors that individually may identify important aspects of the progression of delinquent behaviors, it is widely accepted that a combination of biological and or psychological risk factors with social experiences is evident in the pathway of juvenile delinquency in both genders (Siegel and Welsh, 2005 p 142). Older adolescent males have been shown to be the highest risk group for the development of delinquency (Siegel and Welsh, 2002, p 143). Animal studies including studies of non-human primates indicate that males are more aggressive than females (Siegel and Welsh, 2005, p 143). Males are more likely to develop delinquency than females and that this may be due to firstly to the higher aggression levels seen in males, commonly believed to be due to the higher concentration of testosterone in males (Siegel and Welsh, 2005, p.142). The underlying biological trait of higher testosterone concentrations and higher tendency for aggression interacts with a number of social triggers in boys that develop delinquency. The identified social triggers associated with the development of delinquency in boys includes; disordered self-care taking; lack of educational stimulation at home; a need for remedial education by the age of ten years old; late maturation and an unemployed or absent father (Siegel and Welsh, 2005, p 143).

The development of delinquency in girls also follows the pattern of underlying biological or psychological traits and the interaction of key social environmental triggers. Precocious puberty in girls has long been identified as a biological risk factor for the development of delinquency. This trait is a good example of biological trait interacting with the social environment. When girls undergo precocious puberty they may become more interesting to older boys, who have a higher risk of developing delinquency themselves (Siegel and Welsh, 2005, p 142). The interest of older boys may lead to the earlier socialization of the girls with precocious puberty, leading to a higher exposure to sexual experiences, drinking and illegal drug use (Siegel and Welsh, 2005, p 144). Studies have identified those girls who are at risk of developing delinquency show higher incidences of mental health problems than the general population (Siegel and Welsh, 2005, p 143). A need for mental health intervention by the age of ten years old was seen as an important indicator of risk for delinquency in girls (Siegel and Welsh, 2005, p 143). Delinquent girls were also shown to be more at risk of having violent and dysfunctional family relationships (Siegel and Welsh, 2005, 144). Hormonal fluctuations have been identified as potential risk factors in the development of female delinquency. A study by Dalton (qtd in Siegel and Welsh, 2005, p 143) found that girls in the pre-menstrual phase of their menstrual cycle were more likely to commit suicide or be aggressive or otherwise antisocial than at other times of their menstrual cycle.
In summary, clear correlations exist to support the hypothesis that the development of delinquency in both males and females is due to underlying biological or psychological traits coupled with social environments.

References

Siegel, L.J. and Welsh, B.C. (2005). The Core: Juvenile Delinquency, 2nd Ed. pp 142-144.

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