Citation

Yun I, Cheong J, Walsh A. Youth Violence Juv. Justice 2011; 9(3): 241-258.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1541204010388527

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Mainstream criminologists have long maintained that delinquent peer group formation is largely a function of family--environmental variables and have ignored self-selection into peer groups because of genetic proclivities. A small number of recent studies, however, suggest that genes are implicated in delinquent peer affiliation. Given the potentially far-reaching implication of such research findings, the authors replicate Beaver, Wright, and DeLisi's (2008) study, among others, using a direct measure of peer delinquency. That is, the authors analyze the Add Health genetic data employing a measure of peer delinquency which is based on the delinquency counts reported by peers themselves rather than respondents' self-reports. Even employing this alternative measure, their results clearly support the original study, providing further evidence of genetic underpinnings of delinquent peer group formation.

Keywords: Juvenile justice

Language: en