Final answer:
The term 'juvenile delinquent' is used for youths who engage in illegal behavior. Various social theories explain the causes of such behavior, including differential association and labeling theories. Formal sanctions are used to address these violations of legal codes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The label applied to an adolescent who breaks the law or engages in behavior that is considered illegal is b. juvenile delinquent. This is grounded in the concept that youths may commit crimes due to various social factors, such as differential association theory, where individuals learn deviant behavior from those close to them. Additionally, the labeling theory might explain how young offenders are seen by society, potentially influencing their future behavior. For example, social disorganization theory suggests that crime is more likely to occur in communities where social bonds are weak, leading to increased instances of juvenile delinquency.
Formal sanctions are imposed through the criminal justice system for violations of legal codes. However, there's also recognition of the relative nature of deviance; not all violations of social norms are viewed or prosecuted equally, as cultural and societal biases sometimes play a role in defining crime and deviance.