Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP8185
Authors: Lungfei Lee; Xiaodong Liu; Eleonora Patacchini; Yves Zenou
Abstract: We analyze delinquent networks of adolescents in the United States. We develop a theoretical model showing who the key player is, i.e. the criminal who once removed generates the highest possible reduction in aggregate crime level. We also show that key players are not necessary the most active criminals in a network. We then test our model using data on criminal behaviors of adolescents in the United States (AddHealth data). Compared to other criminals, key players are more likely to be a male, have less educated parents, are less attached to religion and feel socially more excluded. They also feel that adults care less about them, are less attached to their school and have more troubles getting along with the teachers. We also find that, even though some criminals are not very active in criminal activities, they can be key players because they have a crucial position in the network in terms of betweenness centrality.
Keywords: betweenness centrality; Bonacich centrality; crime; crime policies; network characteristics
JEL Codes: A14; D85; K42; Z13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| key players' characteristics (Z22) | influence their role within the network (D85) |
| fraction of individuals participating in criminal behavior (K42) | impact on others is magnified (F69) |
| removal of a key player (J63) | reduction in aggregate crime levels (K42) |
| standard deviation increase in peer delinquency (C92) | increase in individual delinquency (K42) |