Impulsivity connection to delinquent behaviors and criminology has led to scholars trying to define the term impulsivity and impacts among other important factors that can help diminish the deficiency. The magnitude of studies and the different definitions means that there is no definite definition of impulsivity but scholars agree that impulsivity is the lack of ability to think out anything before undertaking an action (Higgins, Kirchner, Ricketts & Marcum, 2013). Most of these actions demonstrate negative emotions and are harmful due to the rash or failure to think before acting. This study aims at demonstrating how impulsivity plays into Moffitt’s development theory.
Moffitt’s development theory commonly known as the Dual Developmental Taxonomy and addresses the two types of offenders. The first type of offenders is the life-course persistent (LCD) offenders whereas the other type is the adolescence-limited (AL) offenders (Higgins, Kirchner, Ricketts & Marcum, 2013). The LCD start delinquent behaviors early in their childhood due to biological, parental issues and neuropsychological dysfunctions that result in high levels of impulsivity among other aggressive antisocial behaviors. According to the theory, impulsivity is a major characteristic, as it demonstrates the low self-esteem and control among the LCD offenders. The social impacts that tend to develop from the early stages of the offender’s childhood (Higgins, Kirchner, Ricketts & Marcum, 2013). It tends to be difficult to treat or correct, therefore, the LCD is unlikely to stop their delinquency and aggressiveness in their lifetime.
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Unlike the impulsivity among the LCDs, Moffitt argues that AL offenders can develop loss of self-control from peer pressure or biological issues. For instance, the late maturation of either their body or brain. If an individual’s body matures before the brain matures, the person expects to be treated as an adult but his or her actions are childish and result in people treating them as children. On the other hand, if the brain matures before the body, the individual expects to be treated as adults but their body makes the society view them as children. The gaps in growth result in antisocial behaviors since the individual does not fit into any of the treatment (Higgins, Kirchner, Ricketts & Marcum, 2013). Impulsivity level rises due to the misfit issue but AL offenders are likely to discontinue their impulsivity after the other part matures because they were pro-social before the gap emerged.
In conclusion, it is evident that impulsivity is a core characteristic in the Moffitt’s Dual Developmental Taxonomy but higher and more dangerous in LCD than in AL.
Reference
Higgins, G., Kirchner, E., Ricketts, M., & Marcum, C. (2013). Impulsivity and Offending from Childhood to Young Adulthood in the United States: A Developmental Trajectory Analysis. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences , 8 (2), 182–197.
