Companions in Crime

Criminologists often allude to peer influence in explanations of crime and delinquency, but the meaning of that concept rarely receives careful attention. Companions in Crime organizes the extensive literature on peer influence and group delinquency into a coherent form for the first time. Chapters focus on the role of peers over the life course, the group nature of delinquent behavior, and the applicability of peer influence for explaining the major features of delinquent behavior. The most extensive chapter of the book examines possible mechanisms of peer influence and the evidence in favor of each. The principal thesis of Companions in Crime is that deviant behavior is predominantly social behavior, and criminologists must eventually determine the significance of that fact.

• Will be of universal interest to criminologists and others interested in crime • The first book on this topic in the field • Is clearly written and will be easily comprehensible to graduate and undergraduate students alike

1. Introduction; 2. Peers in the life course; 3. The group character of crime and delinquency; 4. Peers and delinquent conduct; 5. Applying peer explanations of delinquency; 6. Conclusion.