The proposed control theory of the criminal phenomenon is a theoretical elaboration that covers different definition and explanation levels and specifies relationships among explanatory constructs of these levels. Layers of the theory rest on four assumptions about human nature and social order; (1) humans are unsocialized at birth and socialization is never perfect during the life course; (2) social order always implies some consensus on values and both formal and informal interaction mechanisms; (3) communities and individuals are self-serving and have mutual influences on each other; and (4) events, individuals, and communities influence each other as much as they are influenced by external forces. The theory is also integrative because it combines constructs from various disciplines and theories and developmental because it defines a contextual perspective that allows for developmental principles such as orthogeny, sensitivity to the original state, and epigenetic probability. Deficiencies of the proposed control theory are noted. 145 references, 5 notes, and 10 figures