Developmental Theories: Things Change . . . Or Do They? Chapter Nine: Developmental Theories: Things Change . . . Or Do They?

Developmental Theory The view that criminality is a dynamic process, influenced by social experiences as well as individual characteristics Developmental factors include biological, social, and psychological structures and processes Attempts to provide a more global vision of a criminal career encompassing its onset, continuation, and termination

Questions of Developmental Theory How does a criminal career begin? Why does a criminal career continue? How does a criminal career end?

Life Course Theories Theoretical views studying changes in criminal offending patterns over a person’s entire life Are there conditions or events that occur later in life that influence the way people behave, or is behavior predetermined by social or personal conditions at birth?

Life Course Fundamentals Problem Behavior Syndrome (PBS) Pathways to crime Offense specialization/generalization Age of onset/continuity of crime Adolescent-limited and life-course persisters

Problem Behavior Syndrome (PBS) A cluster of antisocial behaviors which may include: family dysfunction substance abuse smoking precocious sexuality and early pregnancy educational underachievement suicide attempts sensation seeking unemployment crime

Pathways to Crime Authority conflict pathway ~ path to a criminal career that begins with early stubborn behavior and defiance of parents Covert pathway ~ path to a criminal career that begins with minor underhanded behavior and progresses to fire starting and theft Overt pathway ~ path to a criminal career that begins with minor aggression, leads to physical fighting, and eventually escalates to violent crime

Age of Onset/Continuity of Crime The earlier the onset of criminality, the more frequent, varied, and sustained the criminal career Poor parental discipline and monitoring are keys to the early onset of criminality

Adolescent-Limited and Life-Course Persisters Adolescent limited offender ~ one who follows the most common criminal trajectory, in which antisocial behavior peaks in adolescence and then diminishes Life course persistent offender ~ one of the small group of offenders whose criminal career continues well into adulthood

Integrated Theories Models of crime causation that weave social and individual variables into a complex explanatory chain

Age-Graded Theory Agree that formal and informal social controls restrict criminality and that crime begins early in life and continues over the life course Suggest that turning points and social capital can alter the development of a criminal career

Factors That Increase the Likelihood of Criminality Weak social bonds Accumulation of deviant peers Labeling by the justice system Unemployment or underemployment Long-term exposure to poverty

Factors That May Reverse a Criminal Trajectory Positive high school experience Escape from poverty Stable employment Maintenance of a successful marriage

Latent Trait Theories Theoretical views that criminal behavior is controlled by a master trait, present at birth or soon after, that remains stable and unchanging throughout a person’s lifetime Though the propensity to commit crime is stable, the opportunity to commit crime fluctuates over time

Types of Latent Trait Theories Crime and human nature General theory of crime

Crime and Human Nature Personal traits such as genetic makeup, intelligence, and body build may outweigh the importance of social variables as predictors of criminal activity

General Theory of Crime A developmental theory that modifies social control theory by integrating concepts from biosocial, psychological, routine activities, and rational choice theories

Self-Control Theory The view that the cause of delinquent behavior is an impulsive personality Those who are impulsive may find that their bond to society is weak

Policy Implications of Developmental Theories Multi-systematic treatment efforts designed to provide at-risk youth with personal, social, educational, and family services