Citation
Cretacci, Michael A. (2009). Which Came First, The Bond Or Self-Control? A Test Of Hirschi’s Revision of Low Self-Control.
Critical Issues in Justice and Politics. vol. 2 (2) pp. 71-86
Abstract
Travis Hirschi, the author of social control theory and one of the authors of self-control, has re-defined self-control and now argues that the bond and self-control are the same. He also states that adding items to the revised measure increases its explanatory power. This study adds to the findings of the only other published test of the revision in three ways: First, it clarifies whether or not the revision lives up to Hirschi's hypothesis that low self-control is the most important variable in a given equation. Second, it also addresses whether Hirschi is correct in proposing that adding items to the revision will enhance its performance. Third, it seeks to determine if often-overlooked concepts, such as criminal opportunity and interaction effects, are important to the perspective. Logistic regression results show that not only is low self-control not the most important predictor of crime but it may not be important when examining property offending. In addition, adding items to the revised measure does not appear to enhance its explanatory power. Finally, neither criminal opportunity nor its interaction with self-control, appears to be significant predictors of deviance in this sample.
URL
https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/Abstract.aspx?id=259468Keyword(s)
Social control theory Social control Crime causes theory Property crime causes Social bond theory
Reference Type
Journal Article
Journal Title
Critical Issues in Justice and Politics
Author(s)
Cretacci, Michael A.
Year Published
2009
Volume Number
2
Issue Number
2
Pages
71-86
Reference ID
7448
