A theory published by Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi in A General Theory of Crime, 1990, holding that low self-control, formed by ineffective parenting in early childhood, is the primary individual-level cause of crime, and that criminal acts are characteristically impulsive and opportunistic. It extends Hirschis earlier social bond theory from external bonds to an internalized trait.
Facts
Core ClaimSourced to the subject's own accountLow self-control established in early childhood, more than any social circumstance later in life, drives criminal and analogous impulsive behavior. 1 Origin YearSourced to the subject's own account Standing CritiqueSourced to the subject's own accountRonald Akers argued in 1991 that the theory fails to define self-control and criminal propensity as distinct, measurable concepts, making it hard to test without circularity; critics also find it underweights peer influence. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
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Self-control theory extends Hirschis social bond account from external bonds to an internalized trait formed in childhood.
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