Sampson And Laub's Model Of Criminal Behavior

Sampson and Laub research revealed that many individuals who once engaged in criminal acts: in this case ‘violence’ gradually halted due to such a transition. Unquestionable there are many other explanations and theories to explain deviant behavior, nevertheless Sampson and Laub’s model contributed considerably to the understanding of criminal offending by providing a clear framework that recognized the ability of individuals to engage in criminal behaviors via life changing transitions, such as the conceivable effect of employment/unemployment on a man or women, which opens the door for future reflective discussions. Recent research by Fallahi & Rodriguez (2014) suggests that crime rates are much higher during unemployment/recession periods,

In one study, birth complications combined with a disruptive family environment which included such experiences as: maternal separation, marital discord, parental mental health problems… predisposed to delinquency over and above either biological or psychosocial risk factor independently (Werner, 1987). Likewise, Thornberry’s model openly points out that the different variables will have greater effects at specific times. For example he suggests that while around irresponsible peers will have a more negative effect in the mid teenage years rather than other more mature ages. One aspect added by Thornberry beyond any other theory is the idea of reciprocity, which had not been mentioned by others. In fact must criminological research concentrates on the effect of hanging out with similar peers or offending individuals and then start engaging in criminal actions. This has been the traditional debate that is yet to produce a well-defined answer. Perhaps one of the foremost contributions of Thornberry’s interactional model is that it clearly answered many questions. Specifically he proposed that most if not all providers of criminal behavior are reciprocally. Therefore it is assumed that engaging in criminal acts leads to hanging out with other similar individuals. As mentioned already, Thornberry believes that social control and bonding constructs, such as attachments and commitment to be amongst most significant predictor of crime. Lack of moral beliefs leads to criminal behavior, which directly affects the level of commitment or attachment an individual, may have built throughout his/her life. While the weakening and the failure to make these connections may be an initial cause of crime, delinquency ultimately becomes its own secondary cause strictly