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

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

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

Causes of Low Self-Control We are all born without self-control Self Control is established in early childhood (age 8) Causes must be in early childhood Parents failure to supervise, recognize, punish 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 The sole cause of crime and “analogous behaviors” All Crime? “Analogous Behaviors?” Explains “stability” of criminality 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 Tautology Problems Attitudinal measures Only if self control inferred from“behavioral measures” (e.g., delinquency) Confusion over “criminality” and “crime” Attitudinal measures 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 Moderate correlation with delinquency, crime, and “analogous behaviors” Controlling for low self-control weakens, but doesn’t eliminate “social” causation In other words, it appears as though low self-control is not the sole cause of crime Are white collar offenders different from “street” offenders? (Some evidence they are)

Policy Implications Low self-control stable after age 8 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 Scope? Parsimony? Criticisms? Why do people desist from criminal activity? Not the “sole” cause of crime Bonds still more important?