CJ 102 Unit 8 - Chapter 9

Seminar Topic This seminar will explore the various pathways to crime and factors that influence whether or not an individual is an adolescent-limited offender or a life-course persistent offender Using the Principle Life Course Theories, we will discuss what factors may deter or attract adolescents in relation to crime as they reach adulthood

Developmental Theory Provide an overview of developmental theory. Give me a general idea of what it involves

What are several of the developmental factors this theory addresses? Process over the life course how a career unfolds how it begins how it is sustained how it comes to an end.

Developmental Theories Discuss the two distinct developmental viewpoints of life-course and latent trait theories.

Two types of latent trait theories Constant Evolving

(PBS) Explain Problem Behavior Syndrome  

Discuss Loeber et al’s three pathways to crime Authority conflict pathway  Covert pathway  Overt pathway

Do you agree with Loeber’s multiple pathway model? Do you know people who have traveled down those paths?

What are the two paths that Moffit believes that most teenage offenders take?

What are integrated theories? Includes social and individual variables

Explain Sampson and Laub’s age-graded theory Social Capital Turning Points

Some of the other life course theories addressed on page 205? What are some of the policy implications of Life course theories?

LATENT TRAIT THEORIES Discuss What Wilson and Herrnstein have to say about crime and human nature

Discuss the main principles of the General Theory of Crime LATENT TRAIT THEORIES Discuss the main principles of the General Theory of Crime

Other latent trait theories addressed in the chapter Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential (ICAP) theory by David Farrington Differential Coercion Theory by Mark Colvin  Control Balance theory by Charles Tittle

Discuss the public policy implications of developmental theory Do you believe that people change or do they stay the same but appear to be different because their life circumstances have changed?

Do you know what the current minimum wage is? Do you think that by raising the minimum wage the crime rate would go down? Why or why not? If you were in Congress, at what rate would you set it? Why?

A person gets a 1600 on the SAT Without knowing this person, what personal, family and social characteristics must he or she have?

Another person becomes a serial killer Without knowing this person, what personal, family and social characteristics must he or she have?

“Bad” behavior vs. “Good” behavior If “bad behavior” is explained by multiple problems, is “good behavior” explained by multiple strengths?

Seminar Topic This seminar will explore the various pathways to crime and factors that influence whether or not an individual is an adolescent-limited offender or a life-course persistent offender Using the Principle Life Course Theories, we will discuss what factors may deter or attract adolescents in relation to crime as they reach adulthood