Life-course theory refers to the study of people’s lives. This approach examines certain principles in one’s life cycle which ultimately influences their criminal behavior or lack thereof. These principles primary focus on age. Although Life-course theories and biosocial theories emphasis similar factors, biosocial theories center around the idea that criminals are biologically different rather than center on an individual’s life experiences. Similar to all theories, the Life-course theory possess strengths and weaknesses compared to other integrated perspectives which in due course reinforces the theory.
When young people reach the stage of being a teenager, there’s a spike in their criminal activity. According to Terrie Moffitt, the creator of the Adolescence-Limited Theory, suggests that there are
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First, are the “life-course-persistent offenders (LCPs).” (p. 443). This particular group engages in misconduct through a good portion of their lives and doesn’t stop once reaching a mature age. On the other hand, “adolescence-limited offenders (ALs).” (p. 444), end their criminal activity once the stage of adolescences ceases. Aside from social experiences and opportunities to practice acceptable behaviors, Moffitt further suggest that someone’s neuropsychological defects are the key to which determines their category. For example, if a woman who is pregnant abuses drug or alcohol, the chances of a child’s development being stunted are increased. This will ultimately throw their numerical age and developmental age out of sync. In other words, an adult with this defect will carry “the same underlying