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

2. 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

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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

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

17. 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

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

19. 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

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