The dynamics of peer-networks and their impact on juvenile delinquency

该研究项目的目的是从经验上审查同伴网络的动态及其对青少年犯罪的影响，以及青少年之间冲突分界线的变化--即在种族层面上--在暴力接触中。该研究项目探讨了网络的建立和发展过程、一般情况以及对犯罪行为的影响。本研究采用纵向定性设计。我们认为这种方法具有很高的创新潜力，因为我们在冲突和暴力问题跨学科研究所的经验知识表明，越轨青年的社会环境发生了重大变化，但尚未得到充分研究。我们的目标是初步探索这些问题。这些发现将在稍后的第二个相当定量的研究项目中得到扩展。此外，基于我们的发现，我们假设了社会学-犯罪学理论形成领域可能存在的创新潜力。实证研究主要包括对40名年龄在15-18岁之间的男性青年的定性纵向考察。他们将就不同的主题接受八次访谈，特别是观察相关方面的变化，特别是同行网络的变化。此外，我们将进行定性的专家访谈，以获得更深入的见解，讨论并扩大这些发现。专家只接受一次面谈；20次面谈被认为是足够的。主要标准是他们与建立在职业关系中的年轻人有联系。如果这一数额得到充分利用，这将提供180次访谈的总样本。

The aim of the research project is to empirically examine the dynamics of peer-networks and their impact on juvenile delinquency as well as on changes of the conflict demarcation lines - i.e. in respect of the ethnic dimension - between youth in violent encounters. The research project addresses the processes of network building and development, their general conditions as well as their impact on delinquent behavior. The research is based in a longitudinal qualitative design. We assume high innovation potential of this approach because our empirical knowledge at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence indicates substantial, but yet not adequately examined changes in the social milieu of deviant youth. We aim on initially exploring those. These findings shall be expanded later on in a second, rather quantitative research project. Moreover, we assume innovation potential in the field of sociological-criminological theory formation that might be possible in different areas, based in our findings.The empirical study mainly contains the qualitative longitudinal examination of 40 male youth, aged between 15 and 18 years. They will be interviewed concerning different topics for eight times especially observing changes of relevant aspects and particularly of the peer-network. In addition, we will conduct qualitative expert inter¬views for more in-depth insights, discussing and expanding those findings. The experts will be just interviewed once; 20 interviews are considered sufficient. The main criterion is that they are in contact with the youth based in professional relations. If this amount is fully utilized, this would provide a total sample of 180 interviews.