developmental/life course theory

Question 1

Name and briefly describe the six dimensions of the criminal career.

Answer 1

onset, frequency, duratio, seriousness, specialization, and desistance

Question 2

what is a key distinction b/n developmental and life-course theories?

Answer 2

D categorizes the types of criminal careers individuals have while L does not

Question 3

explain the mechanisms that cause criminal behavior for ALs and LCPs

Answer 3

ALs– generally well socialized; crime is mimicry (peer influence) VS. LCPs– neurological/learning deficits; pop heterogeneity; criminal cont.

Question 4

Explain Sampson & Laub’s theory of age-graded informal social control

Answer 4

social bonds & connections to family, peers, jobs, churches matter throughout our lives

Question 5

Why do Sampson & Laub reject the notion that there are different groups of offenders in the population?

Answer 5

because informal social control/bonds have more of an impact

Question 6

turning points

Answer 6

important events or social experiences that redirect
a person’s criminal trajectory.

Question 7

Describe Giordano’s theory of cognitive change

Answer 7

individuals must think differently about crime & themselves for adult social bonds to work the magic of desistance.

Question 8

Agnew’s trait of irritability appears to be analogous with what most psychologists call _____

Answer 8

neg emotionality

Question 9

Identify the period in which developmental theories focus on crimes occurring

Answer 9

adolescent years; onset to desistance