Crime and Deviance Through the Life Course: Identification of Distinctive Group Trajectories and Characteristics

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9409592 NAGIN This project aims to advance developmental theories of crime and deviance by examining the life course of different groups of offenders. The theories offer different explanations of the evolution of antisocial behaviors from childhood through adulthood. One purpose of this project is to test the proposition that some individuals are at greatly elevated risk of continuing antisocial behavior. The research will identify the distinguishing characteristics of such individuals and measure the impact of events later in life that appear to cause decreases in criminal behavior for some individuals and increases for others. This analysis will allow the principal investigator to determine which theoretical explanation best fits these findings. The analysis will be conducted on three important data sets: (1) the classic matched sample of delinquent boys assembled by the Gluecks (Boston area, subjects born in the 1920's), (2) the National Youth Survey (U.S. probability sample of 11 to 17 year- olds in 1976), and (3) the Dunedin, New Zealand survey of a 1972- 73 birth cohort. The use of these three widely differing data sets will allow the principal investigator to determine the generality of the findings, thereby enhancing the theoretical significance of this research. ***