The Life-Course-Theories: Gottfredson And Hirschi

Lifespan development is essential, as it is the changes that happen to us throughout a person’s lifespan. Our development occurs at ages stages where we develop from infancy till death. This essay will contain my life story to display the domains in 5 age stages in my lifespan development. The domains I will be exploring is in this essay is physical, emotional, cognitive, social, cultural and moral domain. The influence of biological and environmental play a significant role in my development. Development is influenced by nature or nurture and its affect will occur throughout lifespan. The changes that occur during development have stage. Each theorists has stages of development where they display the changes. This essay will explore my

Psychosocial development throughout the Life Cycle theory (sometimes known as individual development theory) proposes that each individual has the ability to master their environment at all stages of life (Coady & Lehman, 2008; Hutchison, 2008). The theory had its

Control Theory is the theory of support. This theory demonstrates an individual's social bonds in relation to their performance. Since certain bonds are stronger in certain kinds of lifestyles the affects will be different in all situations. Control theorists believe “in the rationality of the criminal act that the individual behaves in a criminal manner for ordinary reasons, and this behavior arises out of the person’s own free will” (Moyer, 2001, 133). However, deviant behavior is prevalent in today’s society. It is a major problem concerning adolescents all across the world. This theory carries serious paternalistic roles.

The life course perspective theory is a micro theory that delves into a subject’s past to interpret present endeavors that may assist in predicting future behavior or misconduct. It could be classified as a road map to an individuals expected behavior and may provide reasoning for that individuals’ life choices, not only in relation to criminal behavior but also on ones ability to sustain relationships.

Life span developmental psychology takes a scientific approach to human growth and change, focusing on change during the life span. There are three main aspects to life span development: cognitive, social, and physical development. This class is not simply a discussion of nature vs. nurture, it explores the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that orient us towards specific behaviors. Initially, my views on life span development were limited to more sociological factors, and did not take into consideration physical developments of the brain. In relation to my personal and professional identity this course has made me realize that development occurs on a spectrum and that not everyone develops at the same time, in the same ways, making me more understanding and compassionate towards those who developed differently than me. The three most important lessons I have learned from this class are that development occurs throughout the entire life span, infants begin learning at a very young age, and that senescence begins as early as young adulthood.

This time, I am going to focus on these two theories, subcultural theory and self-control theory. The reason why I chose these theories is that I am studying abroad now and I have possibilities that I can be a person who have subcultural aspects and need to do self-control here in US. Anyway, subcultural theory was built by Merton. This theory describe that there are many people who completely adjust their own norms or rules and these things are totally different from the major social group, so they tend to be deviant ( Walsh & Hemmens, 2014, p.151). On the other hand, self-control theory was built by Gottfredson and Hirschi. This theory describe that criminal behaviors are related to their lack of self-controlling abilities and such people often be like risk taker, impulsive and active ( Walsh & Hemmens, 2014, p.194). Then, I would like to look at these theories one after another.

Individuals that lack self-control tend to look for “criminal opportunities” which are situations that present themselves to an individual or individuals by which s/he can gain immediate satisfaction with minimal mental or physical effort (Walsh, 2014, P.196). The Low Self-Control theory says that those with the following traits are at a greater risk for criminal offending: their primary focus is the present, with little to no concern of the future and crime affords instant gratification and fast and easy means of obtaining money, revenge, sex, and so forth, they are risk takers and physical rather than cautious and cognitive, and crime provides them with exhilarating and risky adventures, they lack patience, persistence, and diligence, and they are self-centered and lack empathy and a conscience (Walsh, 2014, P.195). According to the theory low self-control is developed during childhood, which is the result of a lack of

When looking into analyzing crime we tend to focus on the current events that lead to the crime being committed. When looking at an individual who stole a supermarket, one can conclude that the robber was in need of fast income at the moment and thus decided to steal. If a person kills another it is because they were threatened or their life was in danger. These examples show that the person doing the action did so because at the time they needed a fast response, which then leads analyzers and investigators to see the events that lead to the crime. This retracing of events does not expand far, mostly resulting in a few days prior to the crime. Life-course theory suggests criminologists should also focus on the events that lead towards the crime, not just analyze the days prior, but from

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) control theory regards parental controls as key in developing self-control, which is related to crime. People who show low self-control tend to live in the here and now, whereas those who have better self-control like to defer gratification. For example, criminal acts provide excitement, have few long-term benefits, and require little preparation. Moreover, they cause pain to their victims, which is correlated to being self-centered and insensitive – both qualities of people with low self-control.

The three theories I have chosen to discuss are all extremely relevant ideas; although I prefer Erik Erikson’s stage of psychosocial development. Erik Erikson’s theory covers a person’s entire lifespan showing the many different stages throughout one’s life. A person is always

This methodology encompasses examining the child’s life through many different contexts, such as: demography, history, sociology, biology, developmental psychology, and economics. ( w. website ) The Life Course Perspective takes the combination of the historical and social factors and sees them in an individual’s course of personal development. A life course is defined as a sequence of socially defined events and roles that the individual enacts over time. ( W. website ) The theory loosely follows the sage old adage, “To know where you’re going, you have to know where you have been.” More precisely, the theory explains that the roles, events or transitions in an individual’s life don’t naturally progress in a structures order, but instead but create the sum of one’s life experience. (website) Transitions play an important role in the life experience.

The life course theory/perspective (LTC) provides another valuable tool to look at calcium intake. This theory refers to a “multidisciplinary paradigm” for the study of individual’s lives, structural contexts, and social change, looking at a sequence of events and roles that the individual undertakes over time that constitute the total of the person’s experience (“Life Course Theory,” 2016). Like the health belief model, the life course theory is characterized by several key constructs: (a) socio-historical and geographical location, (b) timing of lives, (c) heterogeneity or variability, (d) social ties to others, (e) human agency and personal control, and (f) how the past shapes the future. The socio-historical and geographic location construct deals with how geography, geopolitical events, economic cycles, and ideologies influence the individual. The timing of lives relates to individual time or chronological age, generational time, which refers to the age groups in which people are grouped, and historical time, which references societal or major events and their influences on individuals and families. Variability recognizes that not all individuals in a group share the same perspectives, but rather are influenced by a variety of other social, cultural, and uniquely personal factors. Social ties refer to how individuals are connected to and influenced by others. The construct of human agency and personal control reflects the individual’s ability to

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime proposes that low self-control is the cause of crime. Self-control is defined as a person’s ability to control their emotions, behaviors and desires in the face of external demands. Hirschi argued that everyone is born without self-control but it is gained through familial interactions. Parents who supervise their children, recognize deviance and punish deviant acts build self-control in their children. Therefore, low self-control is the product of unsuccessful parenting, such as failing to recognize and correct children’s wrong behavior. Children with low levels of self-control end up being more prone to crime, and their criminal tendencies continue into adulthood. If a child is never told

They also suggest that one major cause of low self-control is “ineffective child-rearing.” (Cullen & Agnew, 2011, Pg. 233) Taking this into consideration, it is also conceivable that low cognitive abilities may influence social interaction (effective socialization, adequate control), which in turn could influence criminal behavior.

The life span perspective in Paul Baltes ' view is the "study of constancy and change in behaviour throughout the life course from conception to death.” (Baltes, 1987, p.611). Being a development psychologist, Baltes constructed seven frameworks that shows that development is multi directional, which means different processes of change all through the lifespan. Secondly, development is multiply influenced by a person 's development, an effect brought about from both biological and environmental factors. Thirdly, understanding development requires multiple disciplines, development that analyse in all directions so that it can be understood through many perspectives