Developmental Taxonomy of Criminality

A theory that classifies offenders into different groups based on their age and developmental stages.

Offenders who commit crimes during adolescence but stop as they mature into adulthood.

Offenders who display criminal behavior from childhood into adulthood.

A theory proposes two distinct offender groups: adolescence-limited and life-course persistent.

The typical pattern of crime rates, which peak during adolescence.

A theory that identifies different patterns in criminal behavior based on age and development.

Any act or omission that violates the law and results in criminal charges.

Problem behaviors that can include aggression, defiance, hostility and rule-breaking.

AL delinquency is fueled by the 'maturity gap' - the difference between biological maturity and societal roles. Teenagers crave adult status but lack access to it, leading to rule-breaking.

ALs gradually desist from crime as they gain access to legitimate adult roles. Their motivation for delinquency fades, and they experience a greater 'stake in conformity'.

ALs desist because they're increasingly invested in conforming to social norms as they gain more adult responsibilities. The rewards of conformity outweigh the risks of crime.

AL delinquents may wake up one day and find their lives have transformed, with criminal activity feeling distant and irrelevant. This is desistance by default, without conscious effort.

Developmental theories group individuals into different categories based on their persistent offending patterns, such as Adolescence-limited and Life-Course Persistent offenders.

AL delinquency is rooted in the 'maturity gap,' where individuals are no longer children but haven't reached full adulthood. This gap is amplified by earlier puberty and extended education requirements.

Individuals in the maturity gap desire independence, sexual relationships, money, decision-making power, and adult respect.

ALs observe how LCPs have achieved some desired goals like early sexual experiences, money, and disregard for authority. They then see delinquency as a pathway to adulthood.

ALs learn delinquency from LCPs through social mimicry, especially influenced by peer pressure.

LCPs have abnormalities in brain development, leading to higher neuropsychological deficits. These deficits cause weaknesses in verbal ability and executive functioning like self-control and impulsivity.

LCPs have difficulty controlling impulses and making decisions, impacting their behavior and leading to antisocial conduct disorders like aggression, defiance, and rule-breaking.

Antisocial behavior starting in childhood often carries into adulthood for LCPs, creating a continuous path of criminal activity.

LCPs are less influenced by peer pressure compared to ALs, making them less likely to change their behavior based on social expectations.