Exam 9: Developmental Theories: Life Course, Latent Trait, and Trajectory

Explain why age of onset is such an important factor in predicting future criminal involvement.

Most young offenders follow one of two paths. "Typical teenagers" who get into minor scrapes and engage in what might be considered rebellious teenage behavior with their friends are considered to be __________________.

According to Farrington, ____________ involves passive obedience to the demands of others, such as submitting to physical or sexual abuse without response.

Discuss the policy-based initiatives that have been developed using the premises of developmental theory. What elements or aspects of developmental theory do these initiatives address?

Youths who join gangs are 30 percent less likely to graduate from high school and 58 percent less likely to earn a four-year degree than youths of similar background who do not become gang members

Fast Track is designed to prevent serious antisocial behavior and related adolescent problems in high-risk children entering high school.

Research indicates that criminal career trajectories can be reversed if life conditions improve and kids gain social capital.

Children who are improperly ______ by unskilled parents are the most likely to rebel by wandering the streets with deviant peers.

According to life course theories, over time an individuals' behaviors will:

Children of high-risk families usually enter the education process poorly prepared for its social, emotional, and cognitive demands

A number of criticisms of the general theory of crime (GTC) remain unanswered. Identify and discuss the implications of these unanswered criticisms.

_____ is a crime-reducing social event. Research proves it to be a key element of social capital and informal social control that allows offenders to lead more conventional lifestyles.

The most important social control a person can establish is a successful marriage.

Adolescent-limiteds may be considered "typical teens" who get into minor scrapes and engage in what might be considered rebellious teenage behavior with friends. As they reach their mid-teens, adolescent-limited delinquents begin to mimic the antisocial behavior of more troubled teens, only to reduce the frequency of their offending as they mature (until the age of 18).

Programs and policies based on developmental theory typically feature _____ treatment efforts.

Gottfredson and Hirschi trace the root cause of poor self-control to inadequate:

Positive relations with individuals and institutions that are life sustaining are known as:

Discuss the factors that comprise the problem behavior syndrome (PBS) and the association between PBS and crime.

Adolescent-limiteds begin offending at a very young age. Even before delinquent activities begin, they typically have serious behavioral problems.

Critics of the general theory of crime claim that it is _________ or involves circular reasoning.