Looking at certain individual level variables such as antisocial behavior that begins in early life can help give insight to the root of juvenile delinquency. According to Moffitt, T. E. (1993), “ A small group of individuals that engage in various types of antisocial behavior (e.g., biting and hitting at the age of 4 years, shoplifting at age 10 years, selling drugs at age 16, robbery at age 22 years, and child abuse at age 30 years) Throughout their lives are referred to as life-course-persistent offenders” (p.36). The term life-course-persistent offenders is used because these types of antisocial behaviors began at such an early stage in the life course and as Moffitt states “Influenced by various neuropsychological factors that affect the children’s behavioral development, temperament, and cognitive abilities” (p.36) that continue throughout the individuals life …show more content…
An example of ramifications caused by antisocial behavior in an individual that help explain juvenile delinquency is what Moffitt calls (LCP) life-course-persistent delinquents. Studies analyze certain attributes such as body build, temperament, and neurological dysfunctions such as ADHD to uncover types of individual level variables that can connect the biological basis to deviant behavior. Many youths that display certain types of antisocial behaviors at such an early stage of life can almost be guaranteed to have an increase of criminal behavior into their adult years. The term life course explains how these types of behaviors occur over ones life and gradually increase in severity due do what some researchers believe can be routed in psychological