Final answer:
A deterministic position claims that factors chiefly outside the conscious control of individuals influence and/or determine delinquency.
Step-by-step explanation:
A deterministic position claims that factors chiefly outside the conscious control of individuals influence and/or determine delinquency. This means that external factors, beyond individual's conscious control, play a significant role in influencing delinquent behavior.
For example, according to Sutherland's theory of differential association, a person's association with delinquent peers or exposure to criminal behavior in their family can influence their own involvement in delinquency. Similarly, Travis Hirschi's control theory suggests that weaker social bonds and a feeling of disconnection from society can make individuals more likely to engage in criminal behavior.
Therefore, the main factors that predict an elevated crime rate include poverty, ethnic heterogeneity, and residential mobility, which can lead to a lack of effective social control. In these circumstances, individuals are less likely to conform to societal norms and engage in criminal activities.