Developmental and Life-Course Theories of Crime and Deviance

Abstract

Developmental and life-course theories of crime and deviance seek to provide explanations of stability and change in behavior over the lifespan. This chapter reviews seven of the most well-known and longest-standing developmental and life-course theories of crime and deviance: dual taxonomy theory, general age-graded theory, integrated cognitive antisocial potential theory, interactional theory, developmental pathways model, social development model, and situational action theory. These theories move beyond accounts of between-individual differences in offending to include accounts of within-individual differences over time. As a collection, developmental and life-course theories have led to numerous innovations in theorizing by emphasizing age-graded behavioral causes and consequences, reciprocal influences, person-environment interactions, distinct etiologies for offender types, and alternative views of intervention success, among several other advances. Following a review of each theory’s key constructs and predictions, as well as select studies and policy implications, the chapter concludes by noting where developmental and life-course theorizing leaves criminology in the larger disciplinary pursuit of developing a unifying theoretical statement.