They argue that social bonds in adolescence and adulthood explain criminal behavior regardless of prior individual differences in criminal propensity. These events are seen as turning points in life. Those with low self-control are less likely to make these turning points, but it is not impossible as Gottfredson and Hirschi seem to argue. When integrating control theory with labeling theory, two concepts are important. First, a trajectory is a pathway or line of development over the life span such as work life, parenthood, and criminal behavior.
Trajectories refer to long-term patterns of behavior and are marked by a sequence of transitions.
Sampson and Laub argue that trajectories of both crime and conformity are significantly influenced over the life course by adult bonds, regardless of prior individual differences in self-control or criminal propensity. Sampson and Laub also point out that the important institutions of formal and informal social control vary across the life span. Despite the connection between early childhood experiences and adult behaviors, turning points can modify or redirect paths. Bad people sometimes get breaks in life. Think of this as a pool table situation.