Peer Pressure, Peer Prevention

Barbara J. Costello (Ph.D., University of Arizona) is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Rhode Island. Her research has focused on testing and extending control theories of crime and delinquency, and on the explanation of both positive and negative peer influence.Trina L. Hope (Ph.D., University of Arizona) is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Oklahoma. Her research has focused primary on criminological theory-testing, including applying concepts from control theories to gang membership, gang and dating violence, adolescent sexual activity, pregnancy resolution, and substance use.

"This is an original effort to calm long-standing squabbles among criminologists about the place of peers in explanations of deviant acts. Costello and Hope see that these disputes—fueled by deductive theory and statistical analyses—may be resolved by quietly questioning people performing and reacting to the acts in question. Their findings justify their effort. All is not as we have been led to believe. The several claimants to this disputed territory—whether strain, control, or learning theorists—will find good reasons to rethink their claims. Need I note that such progress is rare?"-Travis Hirschi, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Arizona. "This book makes a major contribution by considering how peer pressure goes in multiple directions. It broadens our discussion of peer effects on crime and thus can help resolve many of the issues that have been discussed for many decades."- Marcus Felson, Professor of Sociology, Texas State University"Criminologists know little more about mechanisms of peer influence or the everyday social interaction of youth than they did a generation ago. This is a sad and startling admission, particularly in light of all the attention that peer influence has received in recent years. This book brings the authority and richness of real life back into the study of peer influence, along with an abundance of original insights and ideas. For an area often hindered by methodological controversies and theoretical inertia, this should be welcome news. Costello and Hope deserve our thanks."-Mark Warr, Professor of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin

• 1. Introduction: The Study of Peers and Deviant Behavior2. Theory and Research on Peers and Deviance3. Qualitative Accounts of Negative Peer Influence4. Mechanisms of Positive Influence5. Explaining Peer Informal Social Control6. Conclusions and Recommendations for Future Research and Policy