Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work / W. Richard Goe / Criminologists have traditionally studied criminal offending and violent victimization separately. Extant studies, however, demonstrates that criminals and victims overlap to some degree, hinting that a common underlying trait explains both criminal offending and violent victimization. This study tests whether Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control theory explains the overlap in criminal offending and violent victimization exposure among gang members. Using cross-sectional survey data from the Evaluation of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) Program in the United States, 1995-1999, results from the regression models show that low self-control is to some degree correlated with criminal offending and violent victimization. Gang members were more likely than non-gang members to participate in some forms of criminal activities, but they were not more likely to be victimized. When variables stemming from social learning and social bonding are included in the regression models, results show that associating with delinquent peers had the strongest effect in predicting criminal offending, contradicting Gottfredson and Hirschi’s claim that self-control is the only cause of criminal behavior. In concert with previous studies that have found a link between low self-control and violent victimization, results show that youths with low self-control were somewhat more likely than youths with higher self-control to report being victimized. The results of the study, as well as venues for future research, are discussed.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work / W. Richard Goe / This study examined three of the prominent theories of juvenile delinquency to determine principle juvenile firearm carrying behaviors. The theories investigated were Differential Association/Social Learning, Social Control, and Anomie/Strain. The data set used for this research was the “National Survey of Weapons-Related Experiences, Behaviors, and Concerns of High School Youth in the United States, 1996” from the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research at the University of Michigan. This national-level survey of youth was conducted by Joseph F. Sheley and James D. Wright to assemble detailed behavioral and attitudinal data concerning weapons and violence, and was completed by 733 10th and 11th grade male high school students. Comparison logistic regression model analyses were utilized to examine the study’s hypotheses. Findings indicated that juvenile firearms carrying is most influenced by delinquent peers, delinquent friends, and gang membership within the theoretical framework of Differential Association/Social Learning. Social Control Theory has the least explanatory power, while the analysis of Anomie/Strain suggests that vicarious strains (those strains experienced by people close to the juvenile) have even more influence on juvenile firearms carrying than experienced strain. Theoretical integration is recommended for future research attempting to provide greater explanatory and predictive power for serious forms of delinquency like juvenile firearms carrying.