Questions and Answers
Who proposed the General Theory of Crime in 1990?
What does the General Theory of Crime explain?
Offending regardless of age, sex, socio-economic status, and analogous behaviors like drinking, smoking, and gambling.
What is the only trait needed for offending according to the General Theory of Crime?
What are the two components necessary for offending according to the General Theory of Crime?
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Characteristics of low self-control include ______, ______, and ______.
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What are the four main parts of the General Theory of Crime?
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What did Evans et al. (1997) find regarding low self-control?
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What direct effects did Higgins (2007) find related to low self-control?
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Drivers with high levels of self-control are more likely to become distracted while driving.
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What relationship did Piquero et al. (2005) find concerning low self-control?
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What did Grasmick et al. (1993) find about opportunity?
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What hypothesis did Burton et al. (1998) propose about gender and low self-control?
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What did LaGrange and Silverman (1999) find in their survey?
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Self-control is not responsive to social influences according to Burt et al. (2006).
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What did Pratt and Cullen (2000) find in their meta-analysis of the General Theory of Crime?
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What support did Vera and Moon (2013) find regarding self-control?
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Study Notes
General Theory of Crime Overview
- Developed by Gottfredson and Hirschi in 1990.
- Explains offending behaviors across different demographics such as age, sex, and socio-economic status.
Key Components of Low Self-Control
- Low self-control identified as the primary trait influencing offending, developed by age 8.
- Two essential components for committing offenses are low self-control and opportunity.
Characteristics of Low Self-Control
- Traits associated with low self-control include:
- Impulsiveness
- Insensitivity
- Preference for physical experiences over mental stimulation
- Risk-taking behavior
- Short-sightedness
- Predominantly nonverbal communication style
Factors Influencing Crime
- Four main elements crucial to the General Theory of Crime:
- Family Conditions: factors like family size, parental criminality, and single-parent households.
- Socialization: includes poor supervision and failure to discipline inappropriate behavior.
- Latent Trait: characterized by low self-control.
- Outcomes: criminality, delinquency, and analogous behaviors.
Supporting Studies
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Evans et al. 1997:
- Research in a Midwestern white city found low self-control as a precursor to crime and related behaviors, with social bonds having a non-significant impact.
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Higgins 2007:
- Examined college students, showing low self-control directly and indirectly influenced digital piracy intentions.
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Quisenberry 2015:
- Suggested high self-control in drivers reduced distraction, supporting the theory.
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Piquero et al. 2005:
- Identified low self-control linked to violent offending and homicide victimization, while noting other influencing factors.
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Grasmick et al. 1993:
- Suggested opportunity can lead to criminal behavior without low self-control, supporting the theory.
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Burton et al. 1998:
- Explored gender differences in criminal behavior, proposing opportunity plays a larger role for females with low self-control.
Gender Differences and Delinquency
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LaGrange and Silverman 1999:
- Cross-cultural study on 2000 secondary school children showing gender differences in delinquency; the theory offers partial explanation.
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Burt et al. 2006:
- Investigated parenting effects on delinquency, finding that self-control is influenced by social interactions and is not fixed.
Meta-Analyses and Broader Findings
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Pratt and Cullen 2000:
- Conducted a meta-analysis of 21 studies confirming low self-control as a strong crime correlate, consistent across demographics.
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Vera and Moon 2013:
- Studied impoverished Hispanic youth, linking low self-control to environment rather than solely parenting practices.
Conclusion
- The General Theory of Crime asserts low self-control significantly influences offending behaviors, with various studies providing empirical support and insights into gender differences, the role of opportunity, and environmental factors.
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Description
Explore key concepts of the General Theory of Crime developed by Gottfredson and Hirschi in 1990. This quiz covers essential terms such as low self-control and their implications on offending behaviors across various demographics. Test your understanding of these foundational principles in criminology.
