A General Theory of Crime Gottfredson and Hirschi

A General Theory of Crime Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) “OOPS” -Travis Hirschi

The Nature of Crime and Criminals Criminal Acts… Criminals are therefore… Provide immediate gratification of desires Impulsive Are risky/thrilling Risk-taking Are easy/simple Require little skill/planning Physical (as opposed to mental) Low verbal ability Provide few/meager long term benefits Short-sighted Result in pain/discomfort to a victim Insensitive

Low Self-Control l The cluster of traits (impulsive, insensitive…) tend to come together in people They are present before “crime” They tend to persist through life l Personality? G&H argue against this l l

Causes of Low Self-Control l We are all born without self-control l Parents failure to supervise, recognize, punish l l Self Control is established in early childhood (age 8) Causes must be in early childhood Straight from Patterson, but no role for “positive learning” (positive reinforcement) Biology? Infants might differ on “impulsiveness or verbal ability…but all can be socialized.

Implications of Low Self. Control l The sole cause of crime and “analogous behaviors” l l l Explains “stability” of criminality l l All Crime? “Analogous Behaviors? ” Low self-control is stable over time What does this mean for Hirschi’s social bonds?

2 Explanations From Aker’s Book (Social Selection & Social Causation) Social Bonds Low Self Control Crime Pure Social Selection Poverty, Delinquent Peers, Social Bonds, Poverty Low Self Control Crime

Empirical Support l Tautology Problems l l l Only if self control inferred from“behavioral measures” (e. g. , delinquency) Confusion over “criminality” and “crime” Attitudinal measures l l I would you rather read a book than engage in physical activities. I tend to be value the “here and now” and do not like to plan my life.

Empirical Support With Attitudinal Measures l l Moderate correlation with delinquency, crime, and “analogous behaviors” Controlling for low self-control weakens, but doesn’t eliminate “social” causation l l In other words, it appears as though low selfcontrol is not the sole cause of crime Are white collar offenders different from “street” offenders? (Some evidence they are)

Policy Implications l Low self-control stable after age 8 l l l Only “early prevention” can reduce crime Train parents, support parents? ? Typical “rehabilitation” won’t reduce crime Changing “bonds” won’t reduce crime Early intervention with parents?

REIVEW l l l Scope? Parsimony? Criticisms? l l l Why do people desist from criminal activity? Not the “sole” cause of crime Bonds still more important?