Developmental Risk Factors

An important task in studying and understanding criminal behavior is identifying biological, psychological, and social (or sociological) developmental risk factors-such as weak family structure, poverty, and peer rejection-t hat may contribute to deviant behavior and crime. A task of criminologists, in fact, is to study developmental risk factors to gather information about the degree to which they influence criminal behavior outcomes. As students of criminal behavior, you may wonder how risk factors and individual criminal behavior are interrelated, such as why not every person who has been negatively affected by a developmental risk factor engages in criminal behavior. In your studies this week, it is important to form your own understanding about how the presence of risk factors might contribute to criminal behavior in one individual over another.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review Chapter 2 of the course text, Criminal Behavior: A Psychosocial Approach. Reflect on the developmental risk factors that might contribute to criminal behavior.

• Review the case scenario about Gary F. in the course reading packet, focusing on the biological, psychological, and social developmental risk factors present in the case scenario, as well as on the criminal behavior exhibited.

• Consider the biological, psychological, and social risk factors that may have influenced the criminal behavior exhibited in the case scenario.

• Think about why the developmental risk factors you considered might contribute to criminal behavior in some individuals, but not others.

A brief description of at least two developmental risk factors implied in the case scenario. Then explain how each may have contributed to the criminal behavior described. Finally, explain why each might contribute to criminal behavior in some individuals, but not others.