This annotation presents an integrative model of the
origins and development of antisocial behavior during
childhood and adolescence. Like all theoretical models, it
both summarizes what is known and states hypotheses
that go beyond the current data. Our goal is to add to the
impetus created by other theories to conduct the critical
studies necessary to test models and advance knowledge.
The present model offers some new hypotheses regarding
precursors to antisocial behavior but seeks primarily to
integrate antisocial propensity theories (Gottfredson &
Hirschi, 1990) and developmental theories (Loeber, 1988;
Moffitt, 1993; Patterson, Reid, & Dishion, 1992). Our
model focuses on enduring propensities to antisocial
behavior but also places antisocial propensity within a
developmental perspective. Like Loeber (1991) and
Sroufe (1997), we posit that changing manifestations of
problem behavior over the course of the development
result from successive transactions of the growing child
with changing social environments. As such, roles for
person variables, developmental variables, and environment
variables are specified, as are interactionsWe use the term "interaction" broadly in discussing the interplay between predisposing variables and social experiences. We have not advanced hypotheses at this point that distinguish between additive, multiplicative, or other joint effects of these classes of variables, but joint effects beyond additive combinations would be most consistent with the intent of our model (cf. Pennington & Bennetto, 1993). among
these classes of variables. The age of onset of antisocial
behavior is a key element of the present model as the
levels of influences from the multiple causal factors vary
with the age of onset of antisocial behavior. Because
much more is known about antisocial behavior in boys
than girls, the present model may be applicable only to
boys. As discussed in this annotation, there may be
important gender differences that will require different
models for girls and boys. Therefore, when sufficient data
are available, it will be important to test the applicability
of the model to girls.