NCJ Number
121160
Date Published
1989
Length
394 pages
Annotation
The Program on Human Development and Criminal Behavior has developed a sophisticated, interdisciplinary, and intellectually ambitious agenda for research on the causes and prevention of crime.
Abstract
This study is a serious effort to improve understanding of the causes and prevention of crime and to design and carry out strategies for reducing crime. The Program's activities can be envisioned in five phases. The Review of Knowledge Phase examines and summarizes the current state of the relevant behavioral and social science research on human development and antisocial behavior from birth to age 25. The Research Agenda Phase prepares a comprehensive, integrated interdisciplinary research agenda for study of the causes and prevention of conduct disorder, delinquency, criminality, and serious antisocial behavior. The Pilot and Preparatory Phase completes necessary methodological studies, pilot studies, and development of measures and instrumentation. The last two Phases are for field work to carry out the data collection and data analysis. Also discussed are design and sampling issues, measurement and analysis, and cohort studies. Recommendations and conclusions from the first two years are presented.