CCJ 3701 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Internal Control, Testability, Risk-Seeking
Document Summary
Theories based on internal controls were too subjective. If people were engaging in criminal behavior then assumption was that internal controls were weak. When hirschi met gottfredson: weak bonds and opportunity do not always relate the crime, a general theory of crime (1990, self-control is an internal control. Why the change of heart: social bonding and self-control are often considered opposing control theories (wright et al. , 1999: hirschi (2204) and hirschi & gottfredson (2006) have attempted to marry the two. Those with low self-control will increase opportunity for and engage in criminal behavior. Those with high self-control decreases opportunity and engagement in criminal behavior. Concept of self-control: six dimensions of self-control: Impulsivity, preference for simple tasks, risk seeking, physical activity, self-centered temper: highly tested concept in psychology. What causes low self-control: childrearing & family environment, parental supervision/monitoring, ability to recognize poor behavior, punishing poor behavior, peers should have a minimal effect on self-control and delinquency.