Criminal Justice 10 1 14 Age Crime Relationship The Debate Involvement in crime is early on in life There is no finding in criminology stronger than age Hugely debated because of its importance Huge increase for age 15 24 Decrease after age 24 Criminal involvement decreases with age Latent Trait Approach Age distribution of crime is invariant across social and cultural conditions Invariant will never change Age has a direct effect on crime No factor or combination of factors can explain the age crime relationship Gottfredson and Hirschi s Self Control Theory 1990 Crime an act of force or fraud undertaken in pursuit of self interest or pursuit of Opportunity the specific condition under which low self control most likely Self Control the tendency of individuals to consider the long term consequences Focus is placed on early childhood socialization in the family which can produce an enduring criminal predisposition called low self control Posits a single one dimensional trait of self control that persist over the life pleasure leads to crime of their actions course Level of self control is determined by early childhood and remains the same for the rest of your life many people disagreed with this Six Components of the Personality Trait of Low Self Control 1 Tendency to respond to tangible stimuli in the immediate environment Here and now orientation High self control defer gratification 2 Tendency to lack diligence tenacity or persistence in the course of action Easier or simple self gratification and desires 3 Tendency to be adventuresome rather than cautious Prefer exciting risky or thrilling acts 4 Embraces a preference for physical activity over cognitive or mental activity 5 Tendency to be self centered indifferent or insensitive to the sufferings and needs of others 6 Has minimal tolerance for frustration and an inability to respond to conflict through verbal rather than physical means Theory of Criminality Low self control X opportunity criminal behavior High self control X opportunity no criminal behavior Summary Individuals do not change trait criminal opportunities change Opportunities decrease with age Early childhood experiences can reduce criminal propensity General theory of crime accounts for various behaviors
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