ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes that the metatheory anticipates the variables and structures emphasized by various existing theories, explains the relatively low correlational evidence for individual-level theories, and explains the difficulty of translating structural theories into lower levels of explanation. Critical-incident metatheory tells that the difference is in proximity of the life-shape to the point of generating a critical slope. It reaffirms the importance of understanding levels of explanation for theories. Certain theories, such as social learning, may more closely approximate the processual and individual-level events anticipated by a critical-incident metatheory. As a metatheoretical approach, the perspective has several implications for the criminological enterprise. Thus criminology needs to know much more about criminal behavior from the perspective of the criminals. The most important ingredients for aggregate predictions of the critical slope are probably background factors that serve to maintain the base from which a shape may rebuild.
