Investigating Whether Unstructured Socializing and Deviance are Non-Linear. An Examination of Osgood and Colleagues (1996) Criminogenic Theory of Unstructured Socializing with Peers.

• In Event: Families, Peers, and Offending

Abstract

According to Osgood and colleagues (1996) criminogenic theory of Unstructured Socializing (US), deviance will be more likely to occur in situations without authority figures present, which lack structure, and happen in the presence of peers. To date, an abundance of research concurs with this notion. What has yet to be examined by research, is the degree to which US and deviance operate in a nonlinear manner. The current study addresses this gap in the literature using data collected from over 3,500 adolescents as part of the longitudinal Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program. The results showed that the relationship between US and property delinquency is nonlinear. Specifically, increasing in a decelerating manner. Similar results are found for the relationship of US and substance use. The study concludes with a discussion of implications and limitations, as well as directions for future research.

Author

• Robert Joseph Lee Archer, Florida International University