Developmental Taxonomy Theory Of Crime - 1426 Words

Moffitt’s developmental taxonomy suggests that many people behave antisocially but this can either be temporary or persistent. Temporary antisocial behavior is common among adolescents and many of them grow out of it. If the antisocial behavior is persistent, it can later predict criminal behavior down the road. Moffitt’s developmental taxonomy is an integrated theory made up of strain and social learning theories with a positivism approach. Consistent, stable antisocial behavior is found among a small amount of males whose behavior is extremely problematic (Moffitt, 1993). Temporary versus persistent antisocial persons have two qualitatively different types of individuals and none of them, up to this point, have obtained the research of†¦show more content†¦With this being said, Moffitt proposed two distinct types of offenders: life-course-persistent and adolescent-limited. Life-Course-Persistent and Adolescent-Limited Antisocial Behavior One typology Moffitt (1993) explains is that adolescent delinquency foreshadows a continuous antisocial course in criminal acts. Life-course-persistent (LCP) offenders are juveniles who get themselves caught in delinquent behaviors and have problem behavior continuously through their life course. They account for a small percentage of offenders and also commit the vast amount of serious crime. The biology and environment play a huge role in these offender’s lives. The interaction between neurological and having a disadvantaged environment can put them at a higher risk of becoming an offender. These offenders can be seen as psychopaths because of the factors that are a play. Throughout their childhood they begin to have antisocial conduct. Then during adolescence they begin to have cumulative consequences and in adulthood they start to commit criminal behavior. Another typology that Moffitt (1993) explains is that juveniles whose delinquent behavior stays during adolescence must account for it discontinuing in adulthood. Adolescent-limited (AL) offenders are juveniles who go through delinquent behavior but grow out of it once they hit adolescence. Moffitt (1993) also explains that these offenses are