Crime refers to acts in violation of a codified set of criminal laws classified as mala in se, or wrong by nature (i.e., murder, rape, assault), and mala prohibita, including acts not inherently wrong but classified as crimes by the law (i.e., jaywalking, public intoxication, gambling). Though not considered crimes by legal standards, analogous acts such as bullying, aggression, risky sex, and substance use characterize important antecedents to and outcomes of crime when viewed over the lifespan. Consideration of legally proscribed criminal acts and other risky behavior offers a more comprehensive lens through which to view the development of crime. This perspective invokes a life course framework that enables a richer understanding of antisocial behavior manifested in various forms as individuals age.

Viewing the development of ...