Cox, S. M., Allen, J. M., Hanser, R. D., & Conrad, J. J. (2021). Juvenile Justice: A Guide to Theory, Policy, and Practice (10th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781544395470
Theories are found in chapter 5 of Cox.
This assignment is a comprehensive review of the analysis of two theories chosen to discuss and
how the theories relate to the six bullet points below. The authors of Juvenile Justice: A Guide to
Theory, Police and Practice discuss the four main theories (in chapter five) that have been
developed that attempt to explain offenses by and against juveniles.
Please choose two of these theories to analyze against one another. As you write your essay
answer this series of questions:
• Explain each theory.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the theory?
• What is the relationship between the theory and practice?
• Is there any evidence to support the theory and delinquency causation?
• How is the theory critical to the understanding and control of delinquency?
• Which theory do you think does the best job of explaining the causation of delinquency and why?
