Deviant Behaviour Amongst Adolescent Youth An analysis using the Theory of Planned Behaviour Grace Skrzypiec October 2005

The Research Question Can the Theory of Planned Behaviour advance our understanding of why some juveniles engage in criminal acts while others do not?

The Research Question Bridges the disciplines of Psychology and Criminology: The Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen, 1991) with prominent theories of crime

The Theory of Planned Behaviour Background factors Individual Personality, Mood, Emotion, Intelligence, Values, Stereotypes, General Attitudes, Experience Social Education, Age, Gender, Income, Religion, Race, Ethnicity, Culture Information Knowledge, Media, Intervention Behavioural Beliefs Attitude toward Behaviour Normative Beliefs Subjective Norm Control Beliefs Perceived Behavioural Control Intention Behaviour Actual Behavioural Control

Crime Theories Big Three:  Control  Differential Association  Strain theories As well as:  Routine Activity  Rational Choice

Multi-theory Comparisons Agnew (1995) compared leading theories of crime Crime theories can be distinguished along four dimensions: independent variables; independent variables; dependent variables; dependent variables; conditioning or structuring variables; and conditioning or structuring variables; and motivational processes. motivational processes.

Motivational Processes the moral evaluation of crime; the moral evaluation of crime; the rational evaluation of crime; the rational evaluation of crime; one’s level of negative affect; and one’s level of negative affect; and one’s level of “freedom”. one’s level of “freedom”.

Moral Evaluation of Crime An individual’s evaluation of the crime which involves two separate concepts: moral evaluation of the crime, and moral evaluation of the crime, and moral pressure experienced by the individual moral pressure experienced by the individual

Moral Evaluation of the Crime favourable and unfavourable “definitions” of crime favourable and unfavourable “definitions” of crime charged evaluations constitute variables of attitude charged evaluations constitute variables of attitudeTherefore moral evaluations ≡ moral attitudes.

Moral Pressure is the pressure exerted by an individual’s beliefs to commission or not commission a crime is the pressure exerted by an individual’s beliefs to commission or not commission a crimeTherefore moral pressure ≡ moral norms

The Rational Evaluation of Crime the likelihood that one’s crime will be detected; evoke negative/positive reactions from others; arouse positive/negative feelings within themselves; and bring on other positive/negative effects due to the commission of the crime attitudes ≡self-efficacy (perceived behavioural control) subjective norms

Negative Effect an emotionally based concept said to be generated by “strain” or negative treatment by others an emotionally based concept said to be generated by “strain” or negative treatment by others generally involves emotions of frustration and anger generally involves emotions of frustration and anger Ajzen and Fishbein (2005) suggest that anticipated emotions merely form a subset of behavioural beliefs and so can be measured through the corresponding attitudes Ajzen and Fishbein (2005) suggest that anticipated emotions merely form a subset of behavioural beliefs and so can be measured through the corresponding attitudes

Freedom derives from control theory derives from control theory the independent variables increase the freedom to engage in crime rather than increasing self- control the independent variables increase the freedom to engage in crime rather than increasing self- control Self-control measured separately in the study

Summary The motivational processes identified by Agnew (1995) are those which lead to the development of beliefs about criminal behaviour and which are associated with attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. The Theory of Planned Behaviour

Crime Theories and TPB Past Behaviour Background factors Individual Personality, Mood, Emotion, Intelligence, Values, Stereotypes, General Attitudes, Experience Social Education, Age, Gender, Income, Religion, Race, Ethnicity, Culture Information Knowledge, Media, Intervention Behavioural Beliefs Attitude toward Behaviour Normative Beliefs Subjective Norm Control Beliefs Perceived Behavioural Control Intention Behaviour Actual Behavioural Control Leading Crime Theories

Self-Control Higgins and Marcum (2005) found that the Theory of Planned Behaviour mediated the effects of low self-control on intended alcohol consumption. Therefore the role of low self-control with regard to the Theory of Planned Behaviour is hypothesised to influence attitudes and beliefs

Self-Control and TPB Back- ground factors Self- control Attitudes Subjective Norms Perceived Behavioural Control Intention Behaviour

Situational Context Theories Is perceived behavioural control the major driving force for criminal behaviour? Is perceived behavioural control the major driving force for criminal behaviour? Is it sufficient to consider only perceived behavioural control as a determinant of criminal behaviour? Is it sufficient to consider only perceived behavioural control as a determinant of criminal behaviour?

Self-Control Is low self-control a determinant of criminal behaviour? Is low self-control a determinant of criminal behaviour? Is self-control mediated by the Theory of Planned Behaviour? Is self-control mediated by the Theory of Planned Behaviour?

Importance of the Research If this research shows that the Theory of Planned Behaviour is significant in the criminal context, then changes in criminal behaviour may be possible through theoretically driven interventions, which focus on the personal antecedents of behaviour, rather than the management of a multitude of variables as suggested by Weatherburn (2001) in his review of the “causes” of crime.

Methodology Four Stages : Questionnaire Development Questionnaire Development Pilot of Survey Pilot of Survey Survey Administration Survey Administration Statistical Analysis Statistical Analysis

Analysis of Data Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) techniques will be used to analyse elements in the model and a conclusion will be reached about the key aspects of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and its relevance in criminology.

Structural Equation Modelling Confirmatory Technique – used most often to test a theory Allows relationships between variables Allows estimations of error

How it works: Relationships in the model are directly translated into equations. This model produces a set of parameters which are used to estimate a population covariance matrix. This matrix is compared to the sample covariance matrix. If the model is correct the difference is small and not statistically significant. Structural Equation Modelling

Model 1 - to be tested

Model 2 - to be tested

Self Control Moral Norms Subjective Norms Attitudes Self- Efficacy Perceived Behavioural Control Intention Behaviour Model 3 - to be tested