ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF PAST TO FUTURE PARTICIPATION IN DELINQUENCY
Abstract
Among the best documented empirical regularities in criminology is the positive association between past and future delinquency and criminality. In this paper, we examine alternative interpretations of this association. One is that prior participation has a genuine behavioral impact on the individual. Prior participation may, for example, reduce inhibitions against engaging in delinquent activity. Such an effect is termed state dependence. A second explanation is that individuals differ in unmeasured delinquent propensity and this unmeasured propensity is persistent over time. This second explanation is a consequence of population heterogeneity. Using a three‐wave panel data set, we attempt to distinguish these two interpretations of the positive association between past and future delinquency. Our results suggest that the positive association is principally due to a state‐dependent influence. Theoretical implications and directions for future research are also discussed.
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The impact of such contact for this population is notable as the increase in problem behavior may lead to a downward spiral of cumulative continuity for certain youth.
“The impact of such contact for this population is notable as the increase in problem behavior may lead to a downward spiral of cumulative continuity for certain youth (e.g., Caspi, Bem, & Elder, 1989; Moffitt, 1993; Nagin & Paternoster, 1991; Sampson & Laub, 1992).”
From Does contact with the justice system deter or promote future delinquency? Results from a longitudinal study of British adolescent twins (2020) · cites this paper as Nagin & Paternoster, 1991
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Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990) · doi:10.1515/9781503621794 · Cited by 10,127 · see citing works
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Gangs and Delinquency in Developmental Perspective
Thornberry, T. P., Krohn, M. D., Lizotte, A. J., Smith, C. A., & Tobin, K. (2002) · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511499517 · Cited by 828 · see citing works
Moral Communities and Adolescent Delinquency: Religious Contexts and Community Social Control
Regnerus, M. D. (2003) · The Sociological Quarterly · doi:10.1111/j.1533-8525.2003.tb00524.x · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Explaining Race and Gender Differences in Adolescent Sexual Behavior
Lauritsen, J. L. (1994) · Social Forces · doi:10.2307/2579784 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Discriminators of types of recidivism among boot camp graduates in a five-year follow-up study
Benda, B. B., Toombs, N. J., & Peacock, M. (2003) · Journal of Criminal Justice · doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2003.08.004 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Motz, R. T., Barnes, J. C., Caspi, A., Arseneault, L., Cullen, F. T., Houts, R., Wertz, J., & Moffitt, T. E. (2020) · Criminology · doi:10.1111/1745-9125.12236 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
“The impact of such contact for this population is notable as the increase in problem behavior may lead to a downward spiral of cumulative continuity for certain youth (e.g., Caspi, Bem, & Elder, 1989; Moffitt, 1993; Nagin & Paternoster, 1991; Sampson & Laub, 1992).”
BackgroundSchool Punishment, Deterrence, and Race: A Partial Test of Defiance Theory
Pesta, R. (2022) · Crime & Delinquency · doi:10.1177/00111287211005396 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
- Authors
- NAGIN, D. S., & PATERNOSTER, R.
- Affiliations
- Carnegie Mellon University (US)
- University of Maryland, College Park (US)
- Venue
- Criminology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1991-05
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 163-189
- ISSN
- 0011-1384 (ISSN-L)
- 1745-9125
- OpenAlex
- W1991670169
- Cited by
- 414
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 35
- FWCI
- 46.03
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Criminology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
- Social Sciences › Law › Criminal Justice and Penology
- Keywords
- delinquency, recidivism, state dependence, population heterogeneity, behavioral inhibition
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