IntroductionDoes exposure to deviant peers affect individuals' involvement in general delinquency? Peers have an influence on the developing individual where the individual shares definitions that are favorable to him or her (Snyder, Dishion, Patterson, 1982). Findings from the literature suggest that juvenile delinquents are involved in a relationship between the delinquent behavior of their peers and the respondent's own delinquency (Warr, 1996). Shaw and McKay, in 1931, found that more than 80% of individuals had deviant peers and had a strong tendency to commit delinquent acts in the company of others. Studies have found that relationships between peer delinquency and self-reported delinquency exceed those of any other independent variable, whether or not the focus is on different types of crimes (Haynie, 2001). On the other hand, let us note that exposure to deviant peers is not the only factor that pushes adolescents to commit general delinquency. Several factors can lead a child to commit a crime, including family, community and school factors (Herrenkohl et. al, 2000). A debate remains on the means essential to the relationship between deviant peers and their effects on individuals. This is important because it illustrates that normal interaction with peer groups causes people to commit acts that would not be normal. Using data from the National Youth Survey (Wave 7), I will study whether or not exposure to deviant peers affects adolescents' involvement in general delinquency. Literature Review Deviant Peers in Delinquency Matsueda and Anderson analyzed the dynamics of delinquent peers and delinquent behavior. They test hypotheses from learning and interaction theories in which peer associations create delinquency...... middle of article ......erican Journal of Sociology, 106(4), 1013-1057.Herrenkohl, T.I., Farrington, D.P., Brewer, D., Catalano, R.F., Harachi, T.W., & Cothern, L. (2000). Predictors of youth violence (pp. 1-10). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Matsueda, R.L. (1982). Testing control theory and differential association: A causal modeling approach. American Sociological Review, 489-504. Matsueda, R.L. and Anderson, K. (1998). Delinquent peer dynamics and delinquent behavior*. Criminology, 36(2), 269-308. Snyder, J., Dishion, T.J., & Patterson, G.R. (1986). Determinants and consequences of association with deviant peers during preadolescence and adolescence. The Journal of Early Adolescence. Warr, M. (1996). Organization and incitement of delinquent groups*. Criminology, 34(1), 11-37.