Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy

A dual taxonomy is presented to reconcile 2 incongruous facts about antisocial behavior: (a) It shows impressive continuity over age, but (b) its prevalence changes dramatically over age, increasing almost I Q-fold temporarily during adolescence. This article suggests that delinquency conceals 2 distinct categories of individuals. each with a unique natural history and etiology: A small group engages in antisocial behavior of I sort or another at every life stage, whereas a larger group is anti social only during adolescence. According to the theory of life-collrse-persistenl antisocial behavior, children’s neuropsychological problems interact cumulatively with their criminogenic environments across development. culminating in a pathologicaJ personality. According to the theory of adolescence- limited antisocial behavior. a contemporary maturity gap encourages teens to mimic antisocial behavior in ways that are normative and adjustive.

Duke Scholars

Author Terrie E. Moffitt Psychology & Neuroscience