What is the term used for theories that focus on individual development in understanding criminal behavior?

The term "Life-Course Theories" refers to the perspective that individuals develop and change over time, influencing their behavior, including criminal behavior. These theories emphasize the importance of various life stages and transitions, accounting for how factors such as family, education, social relationships, and other life events can contribute to or deter criminal activity. Life-course theorists examine how individuals can move in and out of offending behavior over the course of their lives, effectively capturing the dynamic nature of criminality as it relates to personal experiences and social changes.

This approach stands apart from other theoretical frameworks, which may not focus as comprehensively on the temporal aspects of criminal behavior. Behavioral theories, for instance, primarily concern themselves with observable behaviors and the learning processes that lead to criminal actions. Social theories typically focus on the influence of societal structures, peer influences, and environmental factors rather than individual developmental processes. Cognitive theories center on mental processes and how they influence behavior, but do not always incorporate the nuance of developmental changes over time. Life-course theories uniquely integrate individual growth and life experiences into the understanding of why criminal behavior may occur, making them a critical lens through which to view criminality.