Citation

Jarjoura GR, Triplett R. J. Crim. Justice 1997; 25(2): 125-139.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0047-2352(96)00056-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article presents a replication and extension of Johnstone's (1978) work on the effects of social class and the social characteristics of areas on delinquency. Using a sample of middle and junior high school students from several cities around the United States, the analysis conducted by Johnstone, who used a sample of youths from Chicago, is replicated. The analysis conducted here is designed to test whether the manner in which social context affects the impact of social class on involvement in delinquency is consistent with a relative deprivation explanation. While the results of this study provide replicative support for Johnstone's findings, it also was found that the pattern of results provides more support for opportunity explanations of offending than relative deprivation explanations.