Review Lifecourse Framework Review Sampson and Laub Terrie Moffitt’s Theory

Lifecourse Theory I Must explain why there is stability (continuity) in antisocial behavior Must explain childhood precursors to offending (childhood antisocial behavior) Must explain desistence, or “change”

Lifecourse Theory II Types of Lifecourse Theories (From Cullen and Agnew) 1.Stability Theories (Trait) 2.Stability and Change Theories (Sampson and Laub) 3.Stability or Change Theories (Moffitt)

Sampson and Laub Important/Popular book: Crime in the Making: Pathways and Turning Points Through Life –First to fully outline “lifecourse” criminology –Put forth a lifecourse theory –Use “Glueck data” to test theory

Pathways and Turning Points Pathways = stability Turning Points = opportunity for change

Sampson and Laub’s “Age Graded Theory of Informal Social Control” In what sense is the theory “age graded?” What does “Informal Social Control” mean?

Sampson and Laub Context Parenting Supervision Discipline Social Bonds Family School Delinquent Peers ChildhoodAdolescenceAdulthood Individual Differences Delinquency Social Bonds Marriage Good Job Length of Incarceration Adult Crime

Continuity Stability of Trajectory –Individual differences (traits) possible –Cumulative Continuity Delinquency/crime has effect on “adult social bonds” Delinquency/crime can lead to incarceration, which also has effect on adult social bonds These bonds, in turn, have effect on future crime

Change Turning Points = Adult Social Bonds –Quality Marriage –Quality Employment Why would these things reduce crime? –S&L: they increase informal control (bind individuals to society, give them something to lose) –Other explanations (spend less time with criminal friends, etc.)

Terrie Moffitt A Stability or Change Theory Argument: –There are 2 different “kinds” of offenders in the world –These types can be characterized by their unique “offending trajectories” Failure of Mainstream Criminology? –During adolescence, these two groups look rather similar

Moffitt’s 2 Groups of Offenders LCP’s –Early Start, Stable over lifecourse, 5% of general population (small group) –Therefore… Why start so early? Why so stable? AL’s –Late starters, desist in adulthood, very prevalent in population –Therefore…. Why start so late? Why desist right away?

Explaining the LCP trajectory Presence of “Neuropsychological Deficits” –Where do they come from? –Why do they matter? INTERACTING WITH Ineffective Parenting –Monitoring, supervision, etc. This “dual hazard” puts them on bad path…however…

Cumulative Continuity for LCP’s What in the environment is affected? –Peer Rejection –School Failure –Parenting THEREFORE –Cumulative continuity –Contemporary continuity (still have N.P. Deficit, personality traits)

Explaining the AL’s Maturity Gap –Knifing off Bonds as “rewarding” Mimic Why do AL’s desist? However, some may exhibit continuity –“Snares” as another example of cumulative continuity

Patterson II: Revnege of Gerald We’ve covered his “early starter” theory already. Late Starters? –Family Disruption affects parental efficacy –Lack of Supervision exposes kids to delinquent peers

Key Moffitt Questions Why do we need 2 theories? How does she account for stability and change? Specific explanations of LCP and AL offending