Problem
Before the beginning of a school day, law enforcement arrest a 15-year-old student who attends the local high school. Students, teachers, and even family members describe the student as a "loner." Some students do not even recognize the student, while others are unaware of his name or refer to him in derogatory terms. The student does have a small group of fellow students with whom he socializes sometimes during lunch, but it's unclear whether these are friendships outside of school. Teachers describe the student as a good student but quiet. One of the student's lunchtime acquaintances refers investigators to a website where the student posts frequently under a screen name, sharing tips for hacking and also anti-government views. The student is arrested for hacking into multiple government websites, including the Department of Defense and other highly secure areas.
Task
1. Explain why you would apply a theory to behavior as a way to explain juvenile crime.
2. Explain the ways in which theories may or may not be more applicable when used to explain or address juveniles.
3. Explain how a specific traditional behavioral theory used to explain juvenile crime can be applied to the crime in the case study. Explain why you chose that theory.
4. Determine if and at what points a theory-based intervention could have changed events.