Factors Influencing Juvenile Delinquencies Among Juvenile
[A CASE STUDY OF BORSTAL TRAINING INSTITUTE GANMO, KWARA STATE.]

    In a research conducted by Hatchings and Mednick (1977), results show that criminal behaviour patterns of the biological parents was predicatively a factor that causes criminal behaviour in children who are adoptees. The study also found that when both the biological parents and the adoptive parents were criminals, the likelihood of the adoptees to become criminals is stronger.
    Twins studies have tended to determine whether inherited traits cause criminal behavioural in people who are born twins. However, recent studies on twins claim that environmental conditions; households and schools produce different sociological and psychological or behavioural trait in twins that make it difficult to absolutely determine the relationship between inherited to absolutely determine the relationship between inherited biological traits and anti-social behaviour.
    However, Mednick and Volavka (1987) conducted a review of some relevant studies on this issues and found that 60% of monozygotic (Mz) twins with identical genes who fraternized together shared criminal behaviour patterns, if one behaved criminally, the other was to behave in like manner or become criminal like the other, while 30% of dyzygotic (DZ) twins of the same sex or who shared only half genes from birth were similarly related.
    Some studies (e.g. Rowe, 1987) have indicated that twins studies are not conclusive in their findings regarding hereditary factors and juvenile delinquency. However, Mednick and Volavka (1987) assert that an undisclosed intervening variable could make the relationship confirmed – they, however, conclude that despite the limitation of the twin methods, genetic factors are likely to produce some of the variance associated with criminal behaviour, Fishbein and Thatcher’s (1986) study reveals emphatically that organic problems produce anti-social behaviour. In addition, Gove and Wilmonth (1990) have found that brain chemistry can be associated with aggressive behaviour and crime.  
    According to Siegel, 1992:164:
Recent research ahs suggested that brain and neurological system can produce natural or endogenous opiates, which are chemically similar to the narcotics, opium and morphine. It has been suggested that the risk and thrills involved in crime cause the neurosystem to produce increased amounts of these natural narcotics. The result is an evaluated mood state, perceived as an exciting and rewarding experience that acts as a positive reinforce to juvenile delinquency.   
    Another view is neuorophysical functioning or problems and juvenile delinquency. In 1968, a study revealed that there was a positive correlation between neurological dysfunction and juvenile delinquency (Johnson 1972:79). The Whiteman case identified in the study revealed that persons who suffered from malignat infiltrating tumor are likely to be violent and aggressive.
    To detect neurophysical and neuropsychological functioning or problems, the electroencephalograph (EEG) is used. It records electrical impulse indicated by rhythms and transient electrical discharges (brain waves) produced by the brain which is recorded by electrodes placed on the scalp measurement of the EEG is in cycles per second and it ranges between 0.6 and 30 miter to (Hz).
    Recent studies (e.g. Yeudall, 1979, Volavka 1987) on neurological problems have shown that there is strong link between abnormal EEG recordings and anti-social behaviour. However, not all persons with abnormal EEG readings are or will commit delinquency. Aind and Yamamoto (1966) observe that some behaviour (e.g. hostility, temper, tantrums and destructiveness have a high correlation with abnormal EEG.
Psychological factors and Juvenile Delinquency  
    Numerous attempts have been made to correlate measures of personality with deviant behaviour. Why do some people become aggressive and violent. However psychologists tend to ask is there a violent minded person? Or is there a criminal personality?
    Halleck (1977:314) contends that the psychology of juvenile delinquency can be deduced from the feelings of oppression and inability of persons to do something about how they are feeling.