NCJ Number
126547
Date Published
1990
Length
313 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the nature and causes of criminality argues that sociological, psychological, biological, and economic theories do not provide believable explanations of criminal behavior and concludes that a more appropriate theory of crime recognizes that the essential element of criminality is the absence of self-control.
Abstract
The discussion brings together classical and positive traditions in criminology, noting that each overlooks crucial empirical evidence and that concepts based on specific academic disciplines are often contrary both to the nature of crime and to the data produced by the disciplines themselves. The authors conclude that lack of self-control is the element common to all crime. Thus, persons with high self-control consider the long-term consequences of their behavior, while those with low self-control do not. In addition, such control is learned, usually early in life, and once learned, is highly resistant to change. The discussion considers the application of this theory to such persistent problems of criminology as why males, adolescents, and minorities are more likely than others to commit crimes; what role schools play in the causation of delinquency; why some societies have much lower crime rates than others; and whether white-collar crime requires its own theory. Discussions of policy and research implications, tables, figures, index, and 315 references