Genetic,Maternal, School,Intelligence, and Media Use Predictors of Adult Criminality: A Longitudinal Test of the Catalyst Model in Adolescence through Early Adulthood |
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| Authors: | Christopher J Ferguson James D Ivory Kevin M Beaver |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Behavioral , Applied Sciences &2. Criminal Justice, Texas A&3. M International University , Laredo , Texas , USA CJFerguson1111@aol.com;5. Department of Communication , Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg , Virginia , USA;6. College of Criminology and Criminal Justice , Florida State University , Fort Lauderdale , Florida , USA |
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| Abstract: | The catalyst model suggests that adult criminality arises from the interaction of genetic and proximal social influences such as family influences, but that distal social influences such as media exposure have only negligible influence. This article uses data from a 13-year longitudinal study of adolescent health to examine the catalyst model. As expected by the catalyst model, adult criminality was best explained by a confluence of genetic and proximal social risk factors. The influence of media exposure on adult criminality was negligible. Implications of these findings for both theory and policy are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | adolescence child development computer games criminal behavior genetics mass media violence |
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