Abstract: Early externalizing problem behaviors negatively affect later academic, behavioral, peer relationships and life outcomes in adulthood. It is necessary to understand the original,causes and developmental mechanism of externalizing problem behaviors to determine to what extent later antisocial problem behavior can be explained by early problem behaviors and assess the necessarity and effectiveness of intervention and prevention efforts on externalizing problem behaviors. Relevant concepts and developmental inclination are introduced, and “early starter pathway”and “late starter pathway”of antisocial behaviors are delineated. Findings of behavior genetic research and factors that exert influences on the stability of externalizing behavior problems are addressed. In addition,the implications of this kind of research for the treatment and intervention of externalizing behavior problems in children are discussed

Key words: externalizing problem behaviors, stability, early starter pathway, late starter pathway