Questions and Answers
How did self-control theory develop?
Hirschi was inspired by social disorganization theory on the weakening of controls and argued that controls are important to restrain criminal desires.
How is self-control theory different from social bonds theory?
Social bonds theory locates control in a person's relation to society (external), while self-control theory focuses on internal controls within the individual.
What is Hirschi's new human nature assumption with regard to self-control theory?
Hirschi argues that all people are rational and motivated to pursue crime, but the level of self-control varies among individuals.
What is the general theory of crime according to Hirschi and Gottfredson?
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What is self-control?
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What is crime?
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What is opportunity in the context of self-control theory?
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What are the critical elements of self-control theory?
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What are the 6 characteristics of low self-control?
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What are the causes of self-control according to Gottfredson and Hirschi?
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What is the age crime curve according to Hirschi & Gottfredson?
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Why do people commit less crime as they age?
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What is the main argument of Hirschi & Gottfredson (1983)?
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What are the 6 theses that Hirschi & Gottfredson (1983) defend?
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What is the significance of Grasmick et al. (1993) article?
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What were the main findings of Grasmick et al. (1993) article?
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What were Gottfredson & Hirschi's responses to Grasmick et al. (1993) article?
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What is the significance of Hirschi & Gottfredson (2000) article 'In Defense of Self-Control'?
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What are the critiques that Hirschi and Gottfredson (2000) address?
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What are Hirschi and Gottfredson's (2000) responses to those critiques?
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What is the significance of Hay (2000) article?
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What is Baumrind's 1966 theory?
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What were Hay (2000) main findings?
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What is Hirschi's (2004) redefinition of self-control theory?
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What is the significance of Piquero & Bouffard (2007) article?
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What were Piquero and Bouffard (2007) methods in testing the redefinition of Hirsch's self-control?
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What were Piquero and Bouffard (2007) main findings?
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What are the criticisms of self-control theory?
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Study Notes
Development of Self-Control Theory
- Developed by Hirschi inspired by social disorganization theory focused on the weakening of social controls.
- Emphasizes the importance of internal controls to restrain criminal tendencies.
- Coauthored "A General Theory of Crime" (1990) with Michael Gottfredson, proposing self-control as an internal process.
Difference from Social Bonds Theory
- Social Bonds theory attributes control to societal relations (external), while Self-Control theory considers it an internal individual trait.
- Hirschi highlights the importance of direct control in effective parenting in Self-Control theory compared to the indirect control in Social Bonds theory.
Human Nature Assumption
- Hirschi argues all individuals are rational and motivated to commit crime.
- The variation among individuals lies in their level of self-control and the opportunities available for committing crimes.
General Theory of Crime
- Constructed on three core concepts: self-control, opportunity, and crime.
- Interaction between low self-control and opportunity leads to criminal behavior; neither trait alone is sufficient to explain crime.
Definition of Self-Control
- Defined as the capacity to consider long-term consequences of actions; regarded as a stable trait rather than a personality.
Definition of Crime
- Described as acts of force or fraud for self-interest or pleasure; not confined by legal definitions or cultural contexts.
Definition of Opportunity
- Refers to conditions that increase the likelihood of crime occurring in individuals with low self-control.
Critical Elements of Self-Control Theory
- Early childhood socialization is crucial for developing self-control; failure to attain it often persists into adulthood.
- The theory posits a singular trait of self-control affecting the life course.
- Focuses on criminality rather than mere delinquency or specific criminal acts.
Characteristics of Low Self-Control
- Impulsivity: Responding to immediate stimuli rather than delaying gratification.
- Preference for simplicity: Favoring straightforward rewards over complex tasks.
- Risk-seeking: Viewing criminal acts as exciting or thrilling.
- Physical orientation: Prioritizing physical activities over mental tasks.
- Self-centeredness: Indifference to others' suffering.
- Poor frustration tolerance: Reacting physically to conflict rather than verbally.
Causes of Self-Control
- Influenced by parenting practices such as supervision, recognition of deviant behavior, and consistency in discipline.
- Parental criminality also impacts the development of self-control.
Low Self-Control and Versatility
- Individuals with low self-control are prone to various risky behaviors beyond crime, such as substance abuse and relationship issues.
- Engagement in behaviors hinges on situational opportunities.
Age Crime Curve
- Crime rates peak during mid to late adolescence, typically increasing until ages 16-20, then declining in adulthood.
Reasons for Reduced Crime with Age
- Distinction between criminal propensity (underlying risk) and actual criminal acts.
- Adult responsibilities and social bonds replace opportunities for crime, limiting engagement.
Main Argument of Hirschi & Gottfredson (1983)
- Age is identified as the strongest predictor of crime; criminal involvement decreases with age.
- Self-control theory aligns seamlessly with universal patterns in age distribution of crime.
Six Theses Defended by Hirschi & Gottfredson (1983)
- Age distribution of crime remains consistent across contexts and demographics.
- Theories are invalidated not by tautologies but by failure to address age's contribution.
- Acknowledges that no single variable explains crime's age distribution.
- The effect of age on crime must be recognized.
- Previous literature lacks clarity on age's role.
- Longitudinal studies are not imperative for understanding crime causation.
Significance of Grasmick et al. (1993)
- Marked the first major attempt to empirically assess the interaction between self-control and opportunity.
- Introduced a standardized self-control measure comprised of six characteristics.
Main Findings of Grasmick et al. (1993)
- Idiomatic structure supports a unidimensional trait of self-control.
- Opportunity exerts a significant influence on criminal behavior, independent of self-control levels.
- The interaction between low self-control and opportunity is modest compared to the effect of opportunity alone.
Gottfredson & Hirschi's Response to Grasmick et al. (1993)
- Critique of self-report data due to inherent biases in individuals with low self-control.
- Self-control is best understood from a behavioral rather than purely trait perspective.
Significance of Hirschi & Gottfredson (2000)
- Addresses critiques of self-control theory and reaffirms its relevance.
Critiques Addressed by Hirschi and Gottfredson (2000)
- The theory's tautological nature is defended; self-control and deviance—correlation does not invalidate theoretical integrity.
- Stability of self-control across the life span is foundational to understanding crime's age distribution.
- Calls into question the presumed situational nature of deviant behavior.
- Emphasizes broader definitions of crime beyond legally defined acts.
- Discusses self-selection patterns and measurement inaccuracies in self-reports.
Importance of Hay (2000)
- Examines the link between ineffective parenting and self-control.
- Compares findings with authoritative parenting principles to assess their impact on children's self-regulation.
Baumrind's 1966 Theory
- Effective parenting combines high demands (supervision) and high responsiveness (support).
- Authoritativeness is most conducive to fostering self-regulation.
Hay (2000) Main Findings
- Provides moderate support for the connection between parental discipline and self-control.
- Challenges some assumptions of Hirschi and Gottfredson concerning discipline effectiveness.
Hirschi's (2004) Redefinition of Self-Control Theory
- Broadens the concept to include considerations of potential immediate costs of actions.
- Introduced a new measurement scale for self-control that integrates social bonding elements.
Significance of Piquero & Bouffard (2007)
- One of the first tests of Hirschi's reformulated measure of self-control.
- Compares the predictive abilities of two self-control scales.
Methodology of Piquero and Bouffard (2007)
- Utilized a college student sample to evaluate behaviors like drunk driving and sexual coercion against different self-control scales.
Findings of Piquero and Bouffard (2007)
- Supported both Hirschi's and Grasmick's measures; Hirschi's scale outperformed Grasmick's concerning predictive capabilities.
Criticisms of Self-Control Theory
- Empirical tests indicate low self-control does not account for other sociological crime influences.
- Critiques of Hirschi and Gottfredson's perspectives on societal changes impacting parenting effectiveness.
- Highlights the significance of later life experiences in shaping criminal behavior alongside early childhood experiences.
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