PSYC39H3 Lecture 2: LEC 02
Document Summary
Lec 02: origins of criminal behaviour: developmental risk factors (chapter 2) Developmental pathways - the life course of all humans follows a path, or trajectory, that may be littered with risk factors. Not all criminal behaviour originates in childhood - adult onset criminality. Single vs. multiple causes ex. genetics: hu(cid:374)ti(cid:374)gto(cid:374)"s disease single gene, schizophrenia/psychopathy, etc. Ultimate goal is to make an optimal set of decisions that will minimize cumulative risk. Risk factors are empirical/statistical associates of the outcome of interest. The larger the number of risk factors displayed, the greater the likelihood that the outcome will occur. Risk approaches are not actual theoretical or mechanisti(cid:272) (cid:373)odels (cid:271)e(cid:272)ause it does(cid:374)"t (cid:373)atte(cid:396) which risk factors contribute to the total. Empirically identified psychosocial risk factors: school failure, abuse of alcohol, antisocial peers, childhood victimization. Protective factors: empirically identified influences distinct from risk factors that reduce the likelihood of a negative outcome despite the presence of risk factors.
