Hirschi’s Self-Control Theory & Criminal and Analogous Behavior: Preliminary Findings

• In Event: New Directions in Research on Self-Control Theory

Abstract

There have been several different methods used to measure Hirschi’s (2004) self-control theory. In part, this is because there is a small body of research on Hirschi’s self-control theory. Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) self-control theory has remained popular over the years, and because of this, it is important to understand the theoretical changes that Hirschi made to self-control theory, how Hirschi’s self-control is measured, and the implications this has for understanding and explaining deviant and criminal behavior.
The current study uses two measures of Hirschi’s self-control and the Grasmick et al. (1993) scale which, as a measure of the original self-control theory, serves as a control. These measures will be compared against one another to understand which instrument better predicts criminal and analogous behaviors and, ultimately, better assesses self-control.

Author

• Brooke Mathna, Indiana University of Pennsylvania