Reference no: EM133772872

Assignment: Criminal Justice

I. Explain the roles society plays in increasing the risk of delinquency for certain groups according to conflict theorists and labeling theories. Provide your thoughts regarding at-risk groups and provide examples to support your rational.

II. What is the relationship between learning disabilities and delinquency? What are the characteristics of someone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Do you believe attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is over diagnosed in today's society, why or why not?

III. Identify a case in the news involving a juvenile accused of a violent offense. On the basis of the information that you have learned about sociological theories, which best explains why the juvenile committed the delinquent act.

IV. You are an active citizen who is beginning to notice signs of gang activity in your community. You have begun to notice graffiti on traffic light poles, trash dumpsters and the sides of buildings. Most of the graffiti uses the terms "Crips" and "Bloods", which you relate to the gangs from larger cities. In addition, you have begun to notice that youngsters are hanging out on corners and in front of convenient stores. You speak with a few teachers who indicate that they are observing gang activity in the school as well. The city council has called a town meeting to identify measures to deal with gangs. You attend the meeting and are asked to speak for your neighborhood on what should be done with the gangs in the community.

i. What recommendations would you make to the city council? What is the potential impact of these recommendations on your community?

ii. Do you think that law enforcement should be the primary response to the problem? Why or why not?

iii. What role can the schools play in dealing with gangs?

V. You are employed at a facility that provides psychological treatment to juvenile delinquents. A juvenile is in your office who has committed several burglaries and auto thefts. Upon assessing the juvenile you discover the following:

i. The juvenile does not feel remorse for his actions and argues that he committed the acts because it satisfied his need for money to repair his car so he could find a job. In addition, he states that committing delinquent acts really is not wrong unless the criminal is caught.

ii. The juvenile also says that within the past six months he has been involved in several fights with strangers and acqaintances and has set two cats on fire by pouring gasoline on them.

iii. The juvenile has not been attending school on a regular basis since he was 12 years old.

iv. The juvenile says that his friends also commit delinquent acts and they approve of his actions.

What psychological factors can explain the juvenile's' delinquent acts? What treatment would you prescribe for this juvenile?