Peers and Crime: Recent Advances and Future Directions

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Peers, friends, friendship groups, and social networks have been – and will continue to be – instrumental to criminological research and theory. However, despite having the knowledge that peers and friends ‘do matter’ for crime and deviance, pinning down the answers to ‘how’ and ‘why’ they matter has proven to be much more difficult. A major goal of this panel is to spell out recent advancements in the research and use these advancements to push towards new avenues on research relevant to peers, friends, groups, and networks. Four cutting edge papers are presented and future directions of research on peers and crime are discussed. The topics include:
1) peer delinquency measurement, theory, and misperceptions of peer deviance;
2) generational status, acculturation, and social networks of Latinos/as;
3) peer selection, peer influence, and friendship turnover in social networks; and
4) the impact of first contact with the criminal justice system on peer networks.
Following the presentation of the papers, a discussant (Jean McGloin) will offer her thoughts on the current status of research on peers and crime and the future avenues that are in need of exploration.

Sub Unit

• Area V. Correlates of Crime / 31. Families and Peers

Individual Presentations

• New Directions in Peer Deviance Measurement: Rethinking the Relationship Between Misperceptions, Self-Control, and Social Learning - John H. Boman, Bowling Green State University; Thomas Mowen, Bowling Green State University; John M. Eassey, Missouri State University

• Peer Networks and Latino/a Delinquency: Directions for Future Research - Holly Ventura Miller, University of North Florida

• Peer Selection and Delinquency: Theory, Evidence, and Future Directions - Daniel T. Ragan, University of New Mexico

• Marked for the First Time: The Impact of Juvenile Justice Processing on Friendship Dynamics - Zachary R. Rowan, University of California, Irvine; Elizabeth Cauffman, University of California, Irvine; Paul J. Frick, Louisiana State University

Chair

• John H. Boman, Bowling Green State University

Discussant

• Jean McGloin, University of Maryland