Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence 6/2013

01-06-2013 | Empirical Research

The Age–Crime Curve in Adolescence and Early Adulthood is Not Due to Age Differences in Economic Status

Auteurs: Elizabeth P. Shulman, Laurence D. Steinberg, Alex R. Piquero

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence | Uitgave 6/2013

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

One of the most consistent findings in developmental criminology is the “age–crime curve”—the observation that criminal behavior increases in adolescence and decreases in adulthood. Recently, Brown and Males (Justice Policy J 8:1–30, 2011) conducted an analysis of aggregate arrest, poverty, and population data from California and concluded that the widely-observed adolescent peak in rates of offending is not a consequence of developmental factors, but rather an artifact of age differences in economic status. Youngsters, they argue, offend more than adults because they are poorer than adults. The present study challenges Brown and Males’ proposition by analyzing data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth (NLSY97; N = 8,984; 51 % female; 26 % Black, 21 % Hispanic, 52 % non-Black, non-Hispanic; ages 12–18 at Wave 1), which collected measures of criminal behavior and economic status at multiple time points. Consistent with scores of other studies, we find that criminal offending peaks in adolescence, even after controlling for variation in economic status. Our findings both counter Brown and Males’ claim that the age–crime curve is illusory and underscore the danger of drawing inferences about individual behavior from analysis of aggregated data.
Literatuur
go back to reference Blumstein, A., Cohen, J., Roth, J. A., & Visher, C. (Eds.). (1986). Criminal careers and “career criminals” (Vol. 1). Washington, DC: National Academy Press. Blumstein, A., Cohen, J., Roth, J. A., & Visher, C. (Eds.). (1986). Criminal careers and “career criminals” (Vol. 1). Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
go back to reference Braithwaite, J. (1989). Crime, shame and reintegration. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef Braithwaite, J. (1989). Crime, shame and reintegration. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Brame, R., Fagan, J., Piquero, A. R., Schubert, C. A., & Steinberg, L. (2004). Criminal careers of serious delinquents in two cities. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 2, 256–272.PubMedCrossRef Brame, R., Fagan, J., Piquero, A. R., Schubert, C. A., & Steinberg, L. (2004). Criminal careers of serious delinquents in two cities. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 2, 256–272.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Brown, E., & Males, M. (2011). Does age or poverty level best predict criminal arrest and homicide rates? A preliminary investigation. Justice Policy Journal, 8, 1–30. Brown, E., & Males, M. (2011). Does age or poverty level best predict criminal arrest and homicide rates? A preliminary investigation. Justice Policy Journal, 8, 1–30.
go back to reference Casey, B. J., Getz, S., & Galvan, A. (2008). The adolescent brain. Developmental Review, 28, 62–77.PubMedCrossRef Casey, B. J., Getz, S., & Galvan, A. (2008). The adolescent brain. Developmental Review, 28, 62–77.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Chein, J., Albert, D., O’Brien, L., Uckert, K., & Steinberg, L. (2011). Peers increase adolescent risk taking by enhancing activity in the brain’s reward circuitry. Developmental Science, 14(2), F1–F10.PubMed Chein, J., Albert, D., O’Brien, L., Uckert, K., & Steinberg, L. (2011). Peers increase adolescent risk taking by enhancing activity in the brain’s reward circuitry. Developmental Science, 14(2), F1–F10.PubMed
go back to reference Ellis, B. J., Del Giudice, M., Dishion, T. J., Figueredo, A. J., Gray, P., Griskevicius, V., et al. (2012). The evolutionary basis of risky adolescent behavior: Implications for science, policy, and practice. Developmental Psychology, 48(3), 598–623.PubMedCrossRef Ellis, B. J., Del Giudice, M., Dishion, T. J., Figueredo, A. J., Gray, P., Griskevicius, V., et al. (2012). The evolutionary basis of risky adolescent behavior: Implications for science, policy, and practice. Developmental Psychology, 48(3), 598–623.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Ernst, M., Pine, D. S., & Hardin, M. (2006). Triadic model of the neurobiology of motivated behavior in adolescence. Psychological Medicine, 36(3), 299–312.PubMedCrossRef Ernst, M., Pine, D. S., & Hardin, M. (2006). Triadic model of the neurobiology of motivated behavior in adolescence. Psychological Medicine, 36(3), 299–312.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Farnworth, M., Thornberry, T. P., Krohn, M. D., & Lizotte, A. J. (1994). Measurement in the study of class and delinquency: Integrating theory and research. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 31, 32–61.CrossRef Farnworth, M., Thornberry, T. P., Krohn, M. D., & Lizotte, A. J. (1994). Measurement in the study of class and delinquency: Integrating theory and research. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 31, 32–61.CrossRef
go back to reference Farrington, D. P. (1986). Age and crime. In M. Tonry & N. Morris (Eds.), Crime and justice: An annual review of research (Vol. 7, pp. 189–250). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Farrington, D. P. (1986). Age and crime. In M. Tonry & N. Morris (Eds.), Crime and justice: An annual review of research (Vol. 7, pp. 189–250). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
go back to reference Farrington, D. P. (1998). Individual differences and offending. In M. Tonry (Ed.), The handbook of crime and punishment (pp. 241–268). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Farrington, D. P. (1998). Individual differences and offending. In M. Tonry (Ed.), The handbook of crime and punishment (pp. 241–268). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
go back to reference Farrington, D. P., Piquero, A. R., & Jennings, W. G. (2013). Offending from childhood to late middle age: Recent results from the Cambridge study in delinquent development. New York: Springer.CrossRef Farrington, D. P., Piquero, A. R., & Jennings, W. G. (2013). Offending from childhood to late middle age: Recent results from the Cambridge study in delinquent development. New York: Springer.CrossRef
go back to reference Figner, B., Mackinlay, R. J., Wilkening, F., & Weber, E. U. (2009). Affective and deliberative processes in risky choice: Age differences in risk taking in the Columbia Card Task. Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 35(3), 709–730.PubMedCrossRef Figner, B., Mackinlay, R. J., Wilkening, F., & Weber, E. U. (2009). Affective and deliberative processes in risky choice: Age differences in risk taking in the Columbia Card Task. Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 35(3), 709–730.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Gardner, M., & Steinberg, L. (2005). Peer influence on risk taking, risk preference, and risky decision-making in adolescence and adulthood: An experimental study. Developmental Psychology, 41(4), 625–635.PubMedCrossRef Gardner, M., & Steinberg, L. (2005). Peer influence on risk taking, risk preference, and risky decision-making in adolescence and adulthood: An experimental study. Developmental Psychology, 41(4), 625–635.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Giedd, J. N. (2012). The digital revolution and adolescent brain evolution. Journal of Adolescent Health, 51(2), 101–105.PubMedCrossRef Giedd, J. N. (2012). The digital revolution and adolescent brain evolution. Journal of Adolescent Health, 51(2), 101–105.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Giedd, J. N., & Rapoport, J. L. (2010). Structural MRI of pediatric brain development: What have we learned and where are we going? Neuron, 67, 728–734.PubMedCrossRef Giedd, J. N., & Rapoport, J. L. (2010). Structural MRI of pediatric brain development: What have we learned and where are we going? Neuron, 67, 728–734.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
go back to reference Hirschi, T., & Gottfredson, M. R. (1983). Age and the explanation of crime. American Journal of Sociology, 89, 552–584.CrossRef Hirschi, T., & Gottfredson, M. R. (1983). Age and the explanation of crime. American Journal of Sociology, 89, 552–584.CrossRef
go back to reference Kirk, D. S. (2008). The neighborhood context of racial and ethnic disparities in arrest. Demography, 45, 55–77.PubMedCrossRef Kirk, D. S. (2008). The neighborhood context of racial and ethnic disparities in arrest. Demography, 45, 55–77.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Lauritsen, J. L. (1999). Limitations in the use of longitudinal self-report data: A comment. Criminology, 37, 687–702.CrossRef Lauritsen, J. L. (1999). Limitations in the use of longitudinal self-report data: A comment. Criminology, 37, 687–702.CrossRef
go back to reference Males, M. (2009). Does the adolescent brain make risk taking inevitable? A skeptical appraisal. Journal of Adolescent Research, 24, 3–20.CrossRef Males, M. (2009). Does the adolescent brain make risk taking inevitable? A skeptical appraisal. Journal of Adolescent Research, 24, 3–20.CrossRef
go back to reference Moffitt, T. E. (1993). ‘Life-course-persistent’ and ‘adolescence-limited’ antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy. Psychological Review, 100, 674–701.PubMedCrossRef Moffitt, T. E. (1993). ‘Life-course-persistent’ and ‘adolescence-limited’ antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy. Psychological Review, 100, 674–701.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., Rutter, M., & Silva, P. A. (2001). Sex differences in antisocial behaviour: Conduct disorder, delinquency, and violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., Rutter, M., & Silva, P. A. (2001). Sex differences in antisocial behaviour: Conduct disorder, delinquency, and violence in the Dunedin Longitudinal Study. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
go back to reference Monahan, K. C., Steinberg, L., & Cauffman, E. (2009). Affiliation with antisocial peers, susceptibility to peer influence, and antisocial behavior during the transition to adulthood. Developmental Psychology, 45, 1520–1530.PubMedCrossRef Monahan, K. C., Steinberg, L., & Cauffman, E. (2009). Affiliation with antisocial peers, susceptibility to peer influence, and antisocial behavior during the transition to adulthood. Developmental Psychology, 45, 1520–1530.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Osgood, D. W., Wilson, J. K., Bachman, J. G., O’Malley, P. M., & Johnston, L. D. (1996). Routine activities and individual deviant behavior. American Sociological Review, 61, 635–655.CrossRef Osgood, D. W., Wilson, J. K., Bachman, J. G., O’Malley, P. M., & Johnston, L. D. (1996). Routine activities and individual deviant behavior. American Sociological Review, 61, 635–655.CrossRef
go back to reference Piquero, A. R., Farrington, D. P., & Blumstein, A. (2003). The criminal career paradigm. In M. Tonry (Ed.), Crime and justice: A review of research (Vol. 30, pp. 359–506). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Piquero, A. R., Farrington, D. P., & Blumstein, A. (2003). The criminal career paradigm. In M. Tonry (Ed.), Crime and justice: A review of research (Vol. 30, pp. 359–506). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
go back to reference Piquero, A. R., Monahan, K. C., Glasheen, C., Schubert, C. A., & Mulvey, E. (2012). Does time matter? Comparing trajectory concordance and covariate association using time-based and age-based assessments. Crime & Delinquency. doi:10.1177/0011128712459491. Piquero, A. R., Monahan, K. C., Glasheen, C., Schubert, C. A., & Mulvey, E. (2012). Does time matter? Comparing trajectory concordance and covariate association using time-based and age-based assessments. Crime & Delinquency. doi:10.​1177/​0011128712459491​.
go back to reference Quetelet, A. (1831). Research on the propensity to crime of different ages. Brussels: Hayez. Quetelet, A. (1831). Research on the propensity to crime of different ages. Brussels: Hayez.
go back to reference Reyna, V. F., & Farley, F. (2006). Risk and rationality in adolescent decision-making: Implications for theory, practice, and public policy. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 7(1), 1–44. Reyna, V. F., & Farley, F. (2006). Risk and rationality in adolescent decision-making: Implications for theory, practice, and public policy. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 7(1), 1–44.
go back to reference Robinson, W. (1950). Ecological correlations and the behavior of individuals. American Sociological Review, 15, 351–357.CrossRef Robinson, W. (1950). Ecological correlations and the behavior of individuals. American Sociological Review, 15, 351–357.CrossRef
go back to reference Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (2003). Life-course desisters? Trajectories of crime among delinquent boys followed to age 70. Criminology, 41, 555–592.CrossRef Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (2003). Life-course desisters? Trajectories of crime among delinquent boys followed to age 70. Criminology, 41, 555–592.CrossRef
go back to reference Sampson, R. J., Morenoff, J. D., & Raudenbush, S. (2005). Social anatomy of racial and ethnic disparities in violence. American Journal of Public Health, 95, 224–232.PubMedCrossRef Sampson, R. J., Morenoff, J. D., & Raudenbush, S. (2005). Social anatomy of racial and ethnic disparities in violence. American Journal of Public Health, 95, 224–232.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Sampson, R. J., & Wilson, W. J. (1995). Toward a theory of race, crime, and urban inequality. In J. Hagan & R. Peterson (Eds.), Crime and inequality (pp. 37–56). Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Sampson, R. J., & Wilson, W. J. (1995). Toward a theory of race, crime, and urban inequality. In J. Hagan & R. Peterson (Eds.), Crime and inequality (pp. 37–56). Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
go back to reference Shulman, E. P., & Cauffman, E. (2013). Deciding in the dark: Age differences in intuitive risk judgment. Developmental Psychology. doi:10.1037/a0032778. Shulman, E. P., & Cauffman, E. (2013). Deciding in the dark: Age differences in intuitive risk judgment. Developmental Psychology. doi:10.​1037/​a0032778.
go back to reference Smith, D. A. (1986). The neighborhood context of police behavior. In A. Reiss & M. Tonry (Eds.), Crime and justice (Vol. 8, pp. 313–341). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. Smith, D. A. (1986). The neighborhood context of police behavior. In A. Reiss & M. Tonry (Eds.), Crime and justice (Vol. 8, pp. 313–341). Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
go back to reference Somerville, L. H. (2013). The teenage brain: Sensitivity to social evaluation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(2), 129–135.CrossRef Somerville, L. H. (2013). The teenage brain: Sensitivity to social evaluation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(2), 129–135.CrossRef
go back to reference Steffensmeier, D. J., Allan, E. A., Harer, M. D., & Streifel, C. (1989). Age and the distribution of crime. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 803–831.CrossRef Steffensmeier, D. J., Allan, E. A., Harer, M. D., & Streifel, C. (1989). Age and the distribution of crime. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 803–831.CrossRef
go back to reference Steinberg, L. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Review, 28, 78–106.PubMedCrossRef Steinberg, L. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Review, 28, 78–106.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Thornberry, T. P., & Krohn, M. D. (2002). Comparison of self-report and official data for measuring crime. In J. V. Pepper & C. V. Petrie (Eds.), Measurement problems in criminal justice research: Workshop summary (pp. 43–94). Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Thornberry, T. P., & Krohn, M. D. (2002). Comparison of self-report and official data for measuring crime. In J. V. Pepper & C. V. Petrie (Eds.), Measurement problems in criminal justice research: Workshop summary (pp. 43–94). Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Metagegevens
Titel
The Age–Crime Curve in Adolescence and Early Adulthood is Not Due to Age Differences in Economic Status
Auteurs
Elizabeth P. Shulman
Laurence D. Steinberg
Alex R. Piquero
Publicatiedatum
01-06-2013
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Youth and Adolescence / Uitgave 6/2013
Print ISSN: 0047-2891
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-6601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-9950-4

Andere artikelen Uitgave 6/2013

Journal of Youth and Adolescence 6/2013 Naar de uitgave