Self-Control and Criminal Career Dimensions

• NCJ Number: 217613
• Journal: Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2007 Pages: 72-89
• Author(s): Alex R. Piquero; Terrie E. Moffitt; Bradley E. Wright
• Date Published: February 2007
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): G0100527; MH45070; MH49414
• Sponsoring Agency: William T. Grant Foundation; National Institute of Mental Health; National Institute for Health Research
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored whether self-control is equally related to a variety of criminal career dimensions (participation, frequency, persistence, and desistance) as well as whether self-control distinguishes between crime persistence and desistance.

Abstract

The results indicate support for Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) contention that low self-control equally predicts all dimensions of criminal behavior, including criminal participation, frequency, persistence, and desistance. Specific results indicated that males were more likely than females to participate in criminal activities. However, males and females did not differ in degrees of criminal persistence once crime participation was initiated. Other findings revealed that self-control was able to distinguish between crime persisters and crime desisters, with desisters exhibiting higher levels of self-control. The findings suggest that the causes of crime and their related career patterns appear to be more similar than different. Data were drawn from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Human Development Study of children born between April 1972 and March 1973 in Dunedin, New Zealand. The study administered a battery of psychological, medical, and sociological tests to 1,037 participants at ages 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, and 26. Additional data were collected from their parents, teachers, informants, and trained observers. Conviction data were examined for 985 of the 1,037 participants. Key dependent variables under analysis were crime participation, frequency, persistence, and desistance. The key independent variable was self-control. During childhood, self-control was measured through control-irritability-distractibility, impulsivity, lack of persistence, inattention, hyperactivity, and anti-social behavior. During adolescence, self-control was measured through impulsivity, hyperactivity, inattention, physical response to conflict, and risk taking. Data analysis involved the estimations of a Probit model for crime participation and a Tobit model for crime frequency. Future research should examine the relationship between childhood risk, social bonds, and the dimensions of criminal careers. Tables, notes, references