Developmental Theories: Life Course and Trajectory

The central issue for developmental criminologists is to understand why criminal offenders begin to commit crime, and how and why they choose to either continue a life of crime or stop committing criminal acts entirely. These efforts have resulted in the development of several theories that focus on offenders who commit a lifetime of criminal acts as part of a criminal career. As a result of these studies, public policies have been adapted to confront and prevent criminal behavior. Convicted offender Owen Labrie’s criminal conduct provides one example of a criminal act that might be evaluated by developmental criminologists using a variety of theoretical lenses. After viewing the famous case study of the high school student,Owen Labrie, who was accused of raping a 15-year-old classmate and convicted of five related charges, please respond to the following. After going through and examining the theories mentioned above, which theory and/or theories of criminal career development would suggest that his criminal conduct was influenced by -his individual characteristics, as well as social experiences? What are your thoughts about the elements of impulsivity; signs that a person has low self-control? Examining Loeber’s Pathways to crime, discuss the behaviors shown and life course persisters. Did Labrie exhibit any of these behavioral traits? Provide a short profile of him.

Developmental Theories of Criminal Behaviorists

Criminal theories explain the behaviors of offenders who commit a lifetime of criminal acts. This paper identifies the various theories of criminal career development in explaining the case of Owen Labrie, who was accused of sexually assaulting his 15-year-old classmate.

The criminal career development theories suggesting that Labrie’s act was influenced by his individual characteristics and social experiences

Social control and self-control theories depict a lot of social influences on Labrie’s criminal behavior. The social theory accords various institutions like family and schools to minimize the propensity for one’s deviant behaviors (Ontario, 2020). Gottfredson’s and Hirschi’s theory of self-control is also key in restraining an individual from committing a crime (Sec & Kieser, 2013). Labrie’s limited self-control subjected him to attempting to victimize the minor without her consent.

My thoughts about the elements of impulsivity

There are various signs of impulsivity, including a person’s lack of premeditation towards reflecting on their failure before any course of action. A person’s seeks for mere sensation, and lack of perseverance in certain situations is also a sign of impulsivity (Lober, Wung, Keenan & Groux, 2008). Finally, the urgency with which one conducts their actives would also reflect on their impulsive way of doing things. A person’s impulsive act would render them prone to risk-taking behaviors like adolescent partner abuse and victimization.

A discussion on Loeber’s Pathways to crime

Loeber distinguishes three developmental pathways to crime. They include the early authority pathway that encompasses the child’s stubbornness, authority avoidance, and defiance. The covert pathway is comprising minor convert behaviors, property damaging to major delinquency acts of a person. Finally, the convert pathway includes various disruptive behaviours of violent acts, aggression, and fights (Lober, Wung, Keenan & Groux, 2008). These pathways are disruptive behaviours and may lead one to criminal activities.

Whether Labrie exhibited any of the behavioral traits 

Owen Labrie’s case, a student at St. Paul’s School, was but an indication of his pathway traits to criminality. For instance, his defiance nature to deny his wrongful acts is a disruptive behaviour. The information provided by his friends suggested his sexual assault on the victim (Bidgood, 2015). Moreover, he defied the victimized disapproval of the sexual act prompting the case as a violent, forceful sexual act. Labrie even used the computer machine to lure the young girl into having sex with him. The social control and self-control theories, therefore, defines the criminal behaviors of Owen Labrie’s life.

References

1. Bidgood (2015). Owen Labrie of St. Paul’s School Is Found Not Guilty of Main Rape Charge. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2015/08/29/us/st- pauls-school-rape-trial-owen-labrie.amp.html
2. Sec & E. Kieser (2013). Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, Application. Retrieved from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://global.oup.com/us/co            mpanion.websites/9780199844487/guide1/study_guide.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjflK3x5Zzq            AhVDzBoKHZIgA-QQFjAAegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw1vyMnij_oyL_Dn2ZNEitsw

Ontario (2020). Sovial Control and Self Control Theories. Retrieved from:             http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/professionals/oyap/roots/volume5/chapter1            2_social_control.aspx

1. Loeber, P. Wung, K. Keenan & B. Groux (2008). Developmental pathways in disruptive child behavior. Retrieved from: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/development-and- psychopathology/article/developmental-pathways-in-disruptive-child-            behavior/5D01E1320BA993C41BE5B0D67E2A14F8