Distinction Between Crime and Criminality (From Critique and Explanation, P 55-69, 1986, Timothy F Hartnagel and Robert A Silverman, eds. See NCJ-102349)

• NCJ Number: 102351
• Author(s): T Hirschi; M Gottfredson
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Transaction Publishers
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Empirical evidence does not support the theory that crime declines with age because of situational changes that reduce criminal tendencies; it is more likely that criminal tendencies (criminality) remain the same over time, but the frequency of crime diminishes because of the biological changes associated with age.

Abstract

Matza (1964) and Trasler (1980) theorize that reduction in criminal activity with advancing age is not related to age per se but rather to the conditioning effect of entering new social situations such as having a job, a girlfriend (reduces gang activity), wives, homes, and children. The assumption of this theory is that criminal activity changes because criminality changes under social conditioning. Empirical evidence does not support this theory. Evidence suggests that criminality (personality characteristics likely to produce deviant behavior) remains the same over time regardless of changing social situations experienced by a person. A person's criminal activity, however, may diminish even though personality characteristics remain the same. The evidence suggests that age per se produces biological changes (e.g., reduction in physical energy) that lead to reduction in criminal activity even though personality characteristics remain stable. 6 notes.