SELF CONTROL THEORY

FOUNDATION OF CRIMINOLOGY

Reporter: Alyzza Rezari

 01 Definition

c ontents
02 Theory and Background

Three Facts about

03 Crime

04 Key Elements of Self

Control Theory

05 Low Self Control

Theory
01 SELF CONTROL THEORY

DEFINITION

The Self Control Theory of Crime explains, like

other control theories, the absence and not the
emergence of crime. This leads them back to self-
control. If an individual has little self-control, and
has the opportunity to commit crime, criminal
behavior becomes more likely. Since the
opportunities for crime are widespread, lack of self-
control is to be seen as the main cause of crime.
02 SELF CONTROL THEORY

THEORY AND BACKGROUND

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime
explicitly aims to explain all forms of crime. It distinguishes
between:
criminality – the inclination or tendency to criminal
behavior
“crime – the actual act by which the law is broken
Gottfredson and Hirschi realize that a crime can only take
place when the propensity for crime coincides with an
opportunity. However, since multiple opportunities present
themselves for most forms of crime, the decisive factor is
the “criminality” of the potential perpetrator.
02 SELF CONTROL THEORY

THEORY AND BACKGROUND

The tendency to criminal behaviour is a consequence of low self-

control. This self-control develops early in a person’s life. A lack of self-
control occurs when parents do not adequately supervise their
children, do not recognize deviant behaviour in their children, or do not
respond appropriately. Self-control cannot be sufficiently developed
even if the parents themselves have not developed the appropriate
skills
02 SELF CONTROL THEORY

THEORY AND BACKGROUND

People who have developed sufficient self-control find it easier to resist impulses to
commit crimes. People who lack self-control tend to live in the here and now:
Gottfredson and Hirschi describe in particular that they strive for “money without
work, sex without courtship, revenge without court delays”

Furthermore, low self-control also goes hand in hand with qualities such as little
conscientiousness, little stamina and lack of reliability. According to Gottfredson and
Hirschi, the “General Theory of Crime” explains all forms of crime, in every age, as
well as many other forms of deviant behaviour.
03 THREE FACTS OF CRIME

FACTS

General Theory of Crime is able to account for all three of the facts about crime.
First, the static nature of self-control is able to account for the age effect of crime,
since the tendency to engage in criminal acts is stable over the life course. Second,
males have lower levels of self-control because they tend to have diminished levels of
supervision. Third, any race or ethnicity differences observed in crime rates are
produced from poor childrearing practices.
04 KEY ELEMENTS OF SELF
CONTROL THEORY

ELEMENTS

One key element in self-control is deferring gratification. By utilizing the character

strengths of savoring and self-regulation, self-control can improve. Teaching children
how to appreciate and effectively distract themselves from gratification will serve
them into adulthood. Adults who have not learned these strengths or how to harness
them can also benefit from practice.
04 KEY ELEMENTS OF SELF
CONTROL THEORY

ELEMENTS

Another key element is the ability to be cautious. The character strength of

prudence can be utilized here to improve self-control. Teaching children how to think,
rather than merely reacting to an impulse, is where this character strength can be
nurtured. With practice, better decisions can be made in real time.
04 KEY ELEMENTS OF SELF
CONTROL THEORY

ELEMENTS

Another key element is cognitive ability. Taking the time to explore options before
being impulsive in decision making is a strong example of self-control. The character
strengths of curiosity and love of learning are areas of growth in building self-control.
04 KEY ELEMENTS OF SELF
CONTROL THEORY

ELEMENTS

Another element of self-control is the ability to see alternative perspectives

effectively. Social intelligence is a character strength that can be strengthened to
improve self-control. Rather than reacting impulsively to another person’s behavior,
someone with enhanced social intelligence can more easily respond with compassion
and empathy.
05 LOW SELF CONTROL THEORY

ELEMENTS

Low self-control can result in undesirable behaviors. Addiction, poor academic

performance, deviant sexual behavior, obesity, and criminal activity are a few of the
well-documented areas where low self-control is evident. Low self-control leads to
actions that put people at risk.

Low self-control is said to come from ineffective child rearing. When a parent fails to
recognize and correct deviant behavior, low self-control is likely to predict behavior
that will become problematic into adulthood. Parents who lack self-control are less
likely to identify and correct undesirable behavior in their children.
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