Trait Theory And Predisposition To Crime

What makes one person more likely to commit crime than another? Many people have worked throughout the years to try and answer this question in an attempt to really get to the root cause of crime so that things can be done to better prevent it. One major school of thought centering around this question is based on trait theory. This theory focuses on the hypothesis that some people have certain personality traits or genetic predispositions that make them more likely to commit crime than someone without these factors. Other things that may come into play regarding trait theory and predisposition to crime are the individual's parents and the environment they were raised in.

In the 1990's, a man named David Rowe took a big step in making biological theories take on a bigger role

Almost all people are or were adolescent limited offenders, but there are certain factors that make some people carry on that behavior throughout their life. There are certainly things, such as drug addiction, that can lead someone to a life of crime, but some people contain traits that may make them naturally predisposed to committing crime throughout their life. According to Moffit's studies, life course persistent offenders are display anti-social behavior from an early age. It is believed that in these individuals, brain development is disrupted by an outside factor. This can happen either in the womb or after birth. Things that may disrupt brain development include poor nutrition, exposure to drugs, or toxins. Other things commonly found in life course persistent offenders are problems in the central nervous system and neuropsychological defects, both of which can lead to behavioral problems and an inability to socialize properly. Life course persistent offenders often work alone, but become role models for adolescent limited