Moffitt's theory of delinquency suggests that at-risk youths can be divided into two groups, the adolescence- limited group and the life-course-persistent group, predetermined at a young age, and social interactions between these two groups become important during the adolescent years.
Which of the following would Moffitt argue is the most important cause of a person becoming a "life-course persistent" offender? Neuropsychological deficits that evoke poor early parenting and cause youth to have difficulty in other social settings.
In general, the accepted notion is that the factors occurring at a younger stage in life are predominately influential on crime risk than later life experiences. As a result of this idea, the life-course theory works closely with developmental theories to reinforce explanations of crime occurrences.
Continuity and Stability of Antisocial Behavior Biting and hitting as early as age 4 followed by crimes such as shoplifting, selling drugs, theft, robbery, rape, and child abuse characterize a life course persistent offender.
A large number of individual factors and characteristics has been associated with the development of juvenile delinquency. These individual factors include age, gender, complications during pregnancy and delivery, impulsivity, aggressiveness, and substance use.
Moffitt attributes the behavioural abnormalities of the lifecourse persistent offender group to neurological deficits. However, the adolescence limited offender group has no neurological deficits; their antisocial behaviour is caused by contact with delinquent peers.
Life course theory has five distinct principles: (a) time and place; (b) life-span development; (c) timing; (d) agency; and (e) linked lives. We used these principles to examine and explain high-risk pregnancy, its premature conclusion, and subsequent mothering of medically fragile preterm infants.
childhood.old age.emerging adulthood.adolescence.
Which of the following is typical of a life course persistent offender? Consistent involvement in antisocial behavior across a wide spectrum of social situations.
The same definitions of LCP, AL, and LO offenders were used in these studies: LCP offenders – first offense up to age 20 and then at least another offense at age 30+. AL offenders – first offense up to age 20 and last offense before age 30. 3. LO offenders – first offense after age 20.
From the above, we can conclude that the Theory of conditioned reflex is not a Theory of development.
In general, developmental/life-course theories focus on offending behavior over time (e.g., trajectories) and on dimensions of the criminal career and make an effort to identify risk and protective factors that relate to life-course patterns of offending.