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The Termination of Criminal Careers

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

Publication ,  Chapter
Moffitt, TE
July 5, 2017

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 10-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 1 sort or another at every life stage, whereas a larger group is antisocial only during adolescence. According to the theory of life-course-persistent antisocial behavior, children's neuropsychological problems interact cumulatively with their criminogenic environments across development, culminating in a pathological 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

ISBN

9780754620853

Publication Date

July 5, 2017

Start / End Page

405 / 432
 

Citation

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Moffitt, T. E. (2017). Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy. In The Termination of Criminal Careers (pp. 405–432).
Moffitt, T. E. “Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy.” In The Termination of Criminal Careers, 405–32, 2017.
Moffitt TE. Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy. In: The Termination of Criminal Careers. 2017. p. 405–32.
Moffitt, T. E. “Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy.” The Termination of Criminal Careers, 2017, pp. 405–32.
Moffitt TE. Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy. The Termination of Criminal Careers. 2017. p. 405–432.
Journal cover image

ISBN

9780754620853

Publication Date

July 5, 2017

Start / End Page

405 / 432