Abstract

This review article covers the 176 studies on juvenile delinquency published between 1970 and 1992 in Korea. The major research trend in 1970s was the general description of delinquent behavior patterns and statistics. However, the causes, measurement and research methodology, and the related variables - both individual and environmental ones - of juvenile delinquency were studied since 1980. Especially in the developmental psychological studies, child-rearing practice, self-concept, adolescent egocentrism, social information processing, moral development were studied throughly. But also, in clinical and counseling psychological areas, the prediction and screening tools for the delinquency, treatment, and rehabituation techniques were consistently studied. However, this review has found that there still are limitation and shortcomings of the research works. Therefore, not only the basic psychological researches on the juvenile delinquency and crimes, but the development of measurement scales, programs for prevention, behavior modification, treatment and rehabilitation are the major tasks for the future studies in Korea.