Key Theorists - Age and Crime

Question 1

Key Theorist – Browne: Age Differences in Crime

WHAT DOES THIS THEORIST POINT OUT?

Answer 1

• The peak age for offending in England and Wales is between 15 – 18 years-old.

Question 2

Key Theorists – Roe and Ash (2008): Age Differences in Crime

WHAT TYPE OF STUDY (AND WHEN) DID THEY CARRY OUT?

Answer 2

• Self report study in 2006.

Question 3

Key Theorists – Roe and Ash (2008): Age Differences in Crime

WHAT DID THEY FIND?

Answer 3

• 22% of 10-25 year-olds admitted to committing at least one offence in the previous twelve months.

Question 4

Key Theorists – Katz (1988) and Lyng (1990): Edgework and the Peer Group - Explaining Youth Crime

WHAT DO THEY ARGUE?

Answer 4

• The search for thrills and excitement amongst ALL young people mean that they often tend to ‘live on the edge’. The ‘Buzz’ of deviant actions ‘gratifies’ young people and this often outweighs the risks of getting caught.
• This is reinforced by the fact that peer group status can be obtained through delinquent actions and therefore a cycle begins whereby group involvement minimises the risk of getting caught.

Question 5

Key Theorist – Wilson: Age and Victimisation

WHAT DO THEY ARGUE?

Answer 5

• Young people are the most likely to be victims of crime with 27% of 10-25 year-olds reporting that they have been victims of crimes such as assault and theft.

Question 6

WHAT OTHER THEORIES SHOULD AGE AND CRIME BE CONSIDERED ALONGSIDE?

Answer 6

• Theories such as Miller: Working-Class Focal Concerns, Matza: Delinquency and Drift, Cohen: Status Frustration, Merton: Strain Theory & Anomie, Labelling Theory, Left Realists, Right Realists and Control Theory can be applied when looking at youth crime.