ABSTRACT
This chapter will explore what psychologists call thrill-seeking or sensation-seeking behaviors that mainly occur in the presence of others. These include arson, breaking and entering, criminal damage, joyriding, and hate-motivated crimes. The chapter will consider the influence of delinquent peers and antisocial behavior on individuals within a group and will differentiate between instigators and followers (Reiss, 1986; Warr, 1996, 2002). Some young people who described this type of offending presented themselves on an unstoppable thrill-seeking quest. However, others described their behavior escalating as a single incident unfolded or over time to increase the level of excitement. Implications for practice and where to focus interventions will also be considered.
