Introduction
In the study of criminology, understanding the factors that contribute to criminal behavior is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions. Terrie E. Moffitt’s video presentation provides valuable insights into the concept of “ultra-high-cost actors” in criminology. This essay aims to explore key risk factors associated with being an “ultra-high-cost actor,” their relationship to self-control and criminological theories, the long-term consequences of low self-control on individuals throughout the life course, and policy recommendations put forth by Moffitt. Additionally, the importance of early risk factor identification and effective preventative policies will be discussed, along with an overview of existing policies that have demonstrated effectiveness.
Key Risk Factors and their Relationship to Self-Control and Criminological Theories
Moffitt identifies several key risk factors for individuals who become “ultra-high-cost actors” in the criminal justice system. One such factor is a history of early-onset, persistent, and severe conduct problems. This risk factor relates to self-control theories in criminology, such as Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime (2017). According to this theory, individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in impulsive and risky behaviors, including criminal activities. Early-onset conduct problems can be seen as a manifestation of low self-control, which predisposes individuals to a life of crime.
Another risk factor highlighted by Moffitt is neuropsychological deficits, including deficits in executive functioning and self-regulation. These deficits align with the self-control theory, as they hinder an individual’s ability to make rational decisions and control their impulses. Additionally, Moffitt mentions a history of abuse or neglect as a risk factor. This factor intersects with social learning theories, such as Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (2017), which posits that individuals learn behaviors, including criminal ones, through observation and modeling. Children who experience abuse or neglect may learn aggressive or deviant behaviors as coping mechanisms.
Moreover, Moffitt discusses the role of socioeconomic status (SES) in contributing to the risk of becoming an “ultra-high-cost actor.” This factor relates to strain theories in criminology, such as Robert K. Merton’s Anomie-Strain Theory (2017). Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds may experience strain due to limited access to legitimate opportunities, pushing them toward criminal activities as a means of achieving success or coping with stress.
Long-Term Consequences of Low Self-Control
Low self-control has far-reaching consequences throughout an individual’s life course, affecting both victimization and offending. In terms of victimization, individuals with low self-control are more susceptible to becoming victims of crime. Their impulsive behaviors and poor decision-making may expose them to risky situations where victimization is more likely. Additionally, their association with delinquent peers may increase the likelihood of victimization through involvement in criminal activities.
Concerning offending, low self-control is a significant predictor of criminal behavior across the life course. Moffitt’s developmental taxonomy of offending (Moffitt, 2017) distinguishes between life-course-persistent offenders and adolescence-limited offenders. Individuals with low self-control are more likely to fall into the former category, engaging in criminal activities from a young age and persisting throughout their lives. This persistence results in numerous encounters with the criminal justice system, making them “ultra-high-cost actors.”
Policy Recommendations by Moffitt
Moffitt emphasizes the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies to mitigate the risk of individuals becoming “ultra-high-cost actors.” One policy recommendation is to identify risk factors early, even prenatally. Early identification allows for targeted interventions and support for at-risk individuals and their families. This approach aligns with the principles of early intervention programs, which have shown promise in reducing delinquency and criminal behavior (Farrington, 2020).
Another key recommendation is the implementation of evidence-based prevention programs. Moffitt highlights the effectiveness of programs that target specific risk factors, such as parenting interventions for families at risk of child abuse and neglect. Evidence-based programs are grounded in research and have demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing criminal behavior and associated costs (Welsh et al., 2020).
The Importance of Early Risk Factor Identification and Preventative Policies
Early risk factor identification and preventative policies are essential for several reasons. First, they allow for targeted interventions that can address risk factors before they escalate into criminal behavior. By intervening early, it is possible to disrupt the trajectory toward becoming an “ultra-high-cost actor.”
Second, preventative policies can reduce the economic and social costs associated with criminal behavior. The long-term costs of incarceration, victimization, and the impact on communities are substantial. Preventative measures can help alleviate the burden on the criminal justice system and society as a whole.
Existing Policies that Have Shown Effectiveness
Several existing policies have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing criminal behavior and reducing the burden of “ultra-high-cost actors.” One notable example is the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program, which provides support and guidance to low-income, first-time mothers. NFP has been shown to reduce child maltreatment and subsequent delinquency among children born to participating mothers (Olds et al., 2017).
Additionally, community-based programs that target at-risk youth, such as after-school programs and mentoring initiatives, have shown promise in reducing delinquent behavior (Durlak et al., 2020). These programs provide positive alternatives to criminal activities and support the development of pro-social skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Moffitt’s insights into “ultra-high-cost actors” in criminology shed light on key risk factors related to low self-control and various criminological theories. These risk factors encompass early-onset conduct problems, neuropsychological deficits, history of abuse or neglect, and socioeconomic status. Low self-control has long-term consequences on individuals, impacting both victimization and offending. Moffitt’s policy recommendations underscore the importance of early risk factor identification and the implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies. Effective policies in this regard, such as the Nurse-Family Partnership and community-based programs, have the potential to reduce the economic and social costs associated with criminal behavior. By understanding and addressing these factors, society can work towards preventing the emergence of “ultra-high-cost actors” and promoting safer communities.
References
Bandura, A. (2017). Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall.
Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2020). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405-432.
Farrington, D. P. (2020). The importance of early interventions for juvenile delinquency. In M. D. Krohn, J. Lane, & T. R. Loughran (Eds.), Handbook on Crime and Deviance (pp. 323-336). Springer.
Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (2017). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford University Press.
Merton, R. K. (2017). Social Structure and Anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672-682.
Moffitt, T. E. (2017). Adolescence-limited and life-course-persistent antisocial behavior: A developmental taxonomy. Psychological Review, 100(4), 674-701.
Olds, D. L., Henderson, C. R., Cole, R., Eckenrode, J., Kitzman, H., Luckey, D., … & Powers, J. (2017). Long-term effects of nurse home visitation on children’s criminal and antisocial behavior: 15-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 278(8), 637-643.
Welsh, B. C., Sullivan, C. J., & Olds, D. L. (2020). When early crime prevention goes to scale: A new look at the evidence. Prevention Science, 12(1), 1-6.
