How Does Low Self Control Predicts Criminal Behavior
Running Head: LOW SELF CONTROL AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR
Low Self Control Predicts Criminal Behavior: A Literature Review
Canan Bozdaş
Middle East Technical University
Abstract
The current study investigates empirical testing of the relation between low self control and criminal behaviors. It is hypothesized that low self control predicts criminal behavior. It is conducted a literature review. Five existing studies are analyzed with this aim. Result show that there are favorable evidences on that low self control predicts the criminal behaviors. Moreover, it is found that low self control with direct and indirect way plays a role some negative social consequences which are related to crime negative social and …show more content…
The study also explores negative social consequences of self control. 400 street youths (265 male, 135 female) are identified based on four criteria; being aged 24 and younger, having left or finished school, being currently unemployed, having spent time without a fixed address or living in a shelter in the previous 12 months. Justification for these criteria is to adjust range age of those defined as street youth, to eliminate those not convenient for full time employment, and to get a sample of ‘serious at risk youth’. Sample is selected from areas known to be frequented by street youths in Vancouver, Canada. 470 youths are approached for interview. 400 of them accepted to participate are interviewed in fast food restaurant, parks, in bus shelters, in front of stores, and on the street. Interview lasts average an hour and 10 minutes. Participation is awarded 20 dollars in food coupons at a popular fast food restaurant. Average length of being homeless is 7 months, average age is almost 20. In this study, 23 of items from Grasmick et al. (1993) are used to operationalize low self control. Four point Likert scale is used. Criminal involvement and drug use is measured by self report. To examine the effect of self control on social consequences and their link to criminal behavior, participants are asked questions about valued goals, relations, deviant peers, deviant values. The results reveal that low self control is related to property crime, violent crime, total crime, and drug use, controlling for age and gender. This confirms that self control seems to be a strong predictor of violent behavior. The result also show that self control has affects on various social consequences. Controlling age and gender, participants with low self control are more likely to have deviant peers and values, to be unemployed and homeless for greater time period. This supports that low self control
Low Self Control Predicts Criminal Behavior: A Literature Review
Canan Bozdaş
Middle East Technical University
Abstract
The current study investigates empirical testing of the relation between low self control and criminal behaviors. It is hypothesized that low self control predicts criminal behavior. It is conducted a literature review. Five existing studies are analyzed with this aim. Result show that there are favorable evidences on that low self control predicts the criminal behaviors. Moreover, it is found that low self control with direct and indirect way plays a role some negative social consequences which are related to crime negative social and …show more content…
The study also explores negative social consequences of self control. 400 street youths (265 male, 135 female) are identified based on four criteria; being aged 24 and younger, having left or finished school, being currently unemployed, having spent time without a fixed address or living in a shelter in the previous 12 months. Justification for these criteria is to adjust range age of those defined as street youth, to eliminate those not convenient for full time employment, and to get a sample of ‘serious at risk youth’. Sample is selected from areas known to be frequented by street youths in Vancouver, Canada. 470 youths are approached for interview. 400 of them accepted to participate are interviewed in fast food restaurant, parks, in bus shelters, in front of stores, and on the street. Interview lasts average an hour and 10 minutes. Participation is awarded 20 dollars in food coupons at a popular fast food restaurant. Average length of being homeless is 7 months, average age is almost 20. In this study, 23 of items from Grasmick et al. (1993) are used to operationalize low self control. Four point Likert scale is used. Criminal involvement and drug use is measured by self report. To examine the effect of self control on social consequences and their link to criminal behavior, participants are asked questions about valued goals, relations, deviant peers, deviant values. The results reveal that low self control is related to property crime, violent crime, total crime, and drug use, controlling for age and gender. This confirms that self control seems to be a strong predictor of violent behavior. The result also show that self control has affects on various social consequences. Controlling age and gender, participants with low self control are more likely to have deviant peers and values, to be unemployed and homeless for greater time period. This supports that low self control