Can a perceptual peer deviance measure accurately measure a peerʹs self-reported deviance?

Purpose learning theory and self-control theory differ considerably in their interpretation of what qualifies as a “valid” measure of peer deviance. While the two theories are epistemological opposites in regards to how to operationalize the peer deviance construct, their differences are reconcilable. The current study seeks to identify a set of perceptual items that accurately measure a peerʹs self-reported deviance. This measure would satisfy the preferences of both learning and control theories because the measure is perceptual but also accurate. s data from 2,154 individuals in friendship pairs where each respondent perceived 26 peer behaviors and self-reported the same behaviors, regression, item-response, and mean difference tests are used to perform item deletion. s erceptual peer deviance items are identified which are not significantly different from the peerʹs self-reported deviance. When scaled together and inserted into multivariate regressions, however, the perceptual peer deviance items are still related to the respondentʹs deviance more strongly than the peerʹs self-reported deviance. sions unable to identify a set of perceptual items that is interchangeable with a peerʹs self-reported deviance. Accordingly, the theoretical debate between Akers and Gottfredson and Hirschi regarding the measurement of differential association may not be empirically resolvable.