New Directions in Peer Deviance Measurement: Rethinking the Relationship Between Misperceptions, Self-Control, and Social Learning

• In Event: Peers and Crime: Recent Advances and Future Directions

Abstract

This decade has seen a proliferation of research on how to measure the Sutherland-inspired construct of differential association with delinquent peers. While this research has highlighted the extent to which there are conceptual, statistical, and theoretical problems with perceptual measures of peer deviance, this set of research has collectively fallen short of being able to definitely provide a ‘yes or no’ answer to whether perceptions of peer deviance are suitable indicators of differential association. Using dyadic data, this project proposes a new analytical technique to more closely align prior findings with theory in an attempt to move closer towards a ‘yes or no’ answer as to whether peer deviance perceptions are valid. Findings are discussed in the context of prior research as well as self-control and social learning theories. We conclude by discussing how our technique can be used in future research to push towards a ‘yes or no’ answer regarding the validity of peer deviance measures.

Authors

• John H. Boman, Bowling Green State University

• Thomas Mowen, Bowling Green State University

• John M. Eassey, Missouri State University