The effects of social ties on crime vary by criminal propensity: A life-course model of interdependence

Previous studies have explained the transition from criminal propensity in youth to criminal behavior in adulthood with hypotheses of enduring crimina l propensity, unique social causation, and cumulative social disadvantage. In this article we develop an additional hypothesis derived from the life-c ourse concept of interdependence: The effects of social ties on crime vary as a function of individuals' propsensity for crime. We tested these four h ypotheses with data from the Dunedin Study. In support of life-course inter dependence, prosocial ties, such as education, employment, family ties, and partnerships, deterred crime, and antisocial ties, such as delinquent peer s, promoted crime, most strongly among low self-control individuals. Our fi ndings bear implications for theories and policies of crime.