Moffitt's Developmental Taxonomy

Moffitt's Developmental Taxonomy categorizes criminal behavior into two main types based on when they begin and their underlying motivations. Life-course persistent offenders start displaying antisocial behavior early in childhood due to neurological or environmental factors and tend to continue their disruptive actions into adulthood. Adolescence-limited offenders engage in delinquent acts mainly during teenage years, often influenced by peer pressure or social environments, but typically desist as they mature. This model helps explain diverse pathways of antisocial behavior, emphasizing the importance of early intervention for persistent offenders while recognizing that many adolescents' criminal activity is temporary.