Discussion Papers no. 587

Reconsidering the theory on adolescent-limited and life-course persistent antisocial behaviour

This article presents a critical review of the taxonomic theory of adolescent-limited and life-course persistent antisocial behaviour (Moffitt 1993) and its empirical evidence. This influential theory suggests that there are two qualitatively distinct types of offenders that require distinct theoretical explanations. Moreover, the empirical evidence for the typology is considered to be strong, at least by some. I discuss along three lines. First, to what extent the taxonomy should be interpreted literally. Second, whether the suggested mechanisms are likely to produce the hypothesized groups. Third, whether some of the most important empirical evidence really does support the theory. I conclude that the theoretical arguments are surprisingly unclear on key issues and that the empirical evidence is highly problematic.

Om publikasjonen

Tittel

Reconsidering the theory on adolescent-limited and life-course persistent antisocial behaviour

Ansvarlig

Torbjørn Skar@dhamar

Serie og -nummer

Discussion Papers no. 587

Utgiver

Statistics Norway

Emne

Discussion Papers

Antall sider

21

Målform

Engelsk

Om Discussion Papers

Discussion papers comprise research papers intended for international journals and books. A preprint of a Discussion Paper may be longer and more elaborate than a standard journal article as it may include intermediate calculations, background material etc.

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