You are here

Self-Control and Crime Over the Life Course
Share

Self-Control and Crime Over the Life Course



March 2015 | 312 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

What exactly is self-control, and what life outcomes does it affect? What causes a person to have high or low self-control to begin with? What effect does self-control have on crime and other harmful behavior?      

 

Using a clear, conversational writing style, Self-Control and Crime Over the Life Course answers critical questions about self-control and its importance for understanding criminal behavior. Authors Carter Hay and Ryan Meldrum use intuitive examples to draw attention to the close connection between self-control and the behavioral choices people make, especially in reference to criminal, deviant, and harmful behaviors that often carry short-term benefits but long-term costs. The text builds an overall theoretical perspective that conveys the multi-disciplinary nature of modern-day self-control research. Moreover, far from emphasizing only theoretical issues, the authors place public policy at the forefront, using self-control research to inform policy efforts that reduce the societal costs of low self-control and the behaviors it enables.

 
Chapter 1: Introduction
A Definition of Self-Control

 
An Integrative Approach

 
A Life Course Approach

 
Connecting Self-Control to Other Causes of Behavior

 
Attention to Public Policy

 
Connecting the Science of Self-Control to the Stories We Read About Everyday

 
 
Chapter 2: Theories of Self-Control and Behavior
The Inextricable Connection Between Theory and Fact

 
Explaining Crime: Gottfredson and Hirschi's Self-Control Theory

 
Evaluating Gottfredson and Hirschi's Self-Control Theory

 
A Psychological, Trait-Based Theory of Self-Control

 
Biosocial Approaches to Behavior

 
The Strength Model: Self-control as a Depletable Resource

 
 
Chapter 3: What Are the Consequences of Low Self-Control?
The Marshmallow Experiments

 
A Quick Note on the Measurement of Self-Control

 
Research on Low Self-Control and Crime

 
The Everyday Consequences of Low Self-Control

 
Policy Implications and Possibilities

 
 
Chapter 4: Infancy and Childhood: What Are the Causes of Self-Control Early in Life?
The Role of Parents in Shaping Self-Control

 
The Genetic Underpinnings of Self-Control

 
Neurobiological Influences on Self-Control

 
Policy Implications and Possibilities

 
 
Chapter 5: Adolescence and Adulthood: Is Self-Control Stable Over Time?
Stability and Change in Self-Control

 
Why Does Self-Control Often Remain Stable?

 
Persistent Individual Traits as Contributors to Self-Control Stability

 
Persistent Environmental Characteristics: Parenting and Peers

 
Persistent Environmental Characteristics: The Stability of Poverty

 
State Dependence as a Contributor to Self-Control Stability

 
An Implicit Idea: Human Agency

 
Empirical Evidence on Explanations for Stability

 
Policy Implications and Possibilities

 
 
Chapter 6: What Leads to Self-Control Change?
The Pervasiveness of Change

 
The Transformations of Adolescence

 
Unexpected Shifts in Social Environments and Relationships

 
Sleeping, Eating, and Substance Use: Short-Term Fluctuations in Self-Control

 
Policy Implications and Possibilities

 
 
Chapter 7: Do the Harmful Effects of Low Self-Control Vary Across Different Circumstances?
Conditional Causation and Low Self-Control: Conceptual Issues

 
Criminal Opportunity

 
Association With Delinquent Peers

 
Weak Social Bonds

 
Neighborhood Disadvantage

 
Weak Moral Values

 
Considering Self-Control as a Moderator Variable

 
Can Self-Control Moderate the Effects of Self-Control?

 
Policy Implications and Possibilities

 
 
Chapter 8: Self-Control and Crime Over the Life Course: Bringing It All Together
The Causes of Initial Self-Control Differences in the First Decade of Life

 
The Child Grows into an Adolescent

 
The Adolescent Grows Into an Adult

 
Moderated Effects Across the Entire Life Course

 
 
Chapter 9: Self-Control and Crime: Influencing Policy and Looking to the Future
Self-Control as a Driver of Societal Advance

 
Using Policy to Promote Self-Control Over the Life Course

 
Community-Based Programs Relevant to All Stages of the Life Course

 
Evidence of Program Success

 

"Low self-control has emerged as one of the leading causes of crime and deviance, some would argue the leading cause.  This book provides an excellent overview of the large body of research on self-control, both within and outside of criminology.  It covers a range of topics, including the varied causes and consequences of low self-control, self-control over the life course, and the policy implications of the self-control research.  It is well written and engaging, suitable for both students and professionals.  I highly recommend it as the best single source on this key concept in criminology."

Robert Agnew
Emory University

“Hay and Meldrum provide a masterful and timely synthesis of the disparate literatures on self-control, one of the most important concepts in the study of antisocial behavior and deviance. Their clear, cogent, and objective assessment will not only inform ongoing research, but will also provide direction to the next generation of criminologists.”

Michael D. Reisig
Professor, Arizona State University

"There is little debate that the relationship between self-control and crime over the life-course has been among the most central of all criminological issues over the past quarter-century and the theoretical, empirical, and policy-related contributions have skyrocketed thereby keeping tabs on new findings has been difficult, that is, until now. Hay and Meldrum, two of the field’s most foremost thinkers on self-control have brought together this literature in a careful and easy going way. With chapter introductions that situate the material in real-world examples, they draw readers in and keep them there. A wonderful overview of the state of the science with many nuggets for future research outlined."

Alex R. Piquero, PhD
University of Texas at Dallas

"I like the writing style of the text.  It is written at a level that complements the ability of my students.  It is also a fun read and has examples that are real attention-getters."

J. Mitchell Miller
University of North Florida

“Hay and Meldrum have put together an impressive book that covers the sweeping literature on self-control and its impact on human behavior.  This is an indispensable resource for students and scholars interested in understanding one of criminology’s most consistent predictors of criminal behavior.”

J.C. Barnes, Ph.D.
University of Cincinnati

"A contemporary synopsis of one of the major criminological theories."

Jennifer Wareham, Ph.D.
Wayne State University

"The writing is very good. The authors include a well-known senior and surging junior colleague whose reputations will add credibility to the authoritative quality of the book."

Nadine M. Connell, Ph.D.

"Addresses the intersection of child development, brain development, neighborhoods and self-control and crime as well as policy issues."

Rebecca S. Katz, Ph.D.
Morehead State University

i am givnig the feedback for my testing purpose.

Mr Testname111 Testname3
Institute of Law, Institute of Law
May 18, 2015

Sample Materials & Chapters

Preface

Chapter 1


Carter Harrison Hay

Carter Hay is a professor and the director of graduate studies in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1999. His articles, chapters, and books have focused on the causes and consequences of crime and deviance over the life course, with a special focus on self-control and its early in life precursors. More About Author

Ryan Charles Meldrum

Dr. Ryan C. Meldrum is an Associate Professor and the Director of Research and Communications in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida International University. He received his B.S. in Sociology from Oregon State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Criminology from Florida State University. His research foci encompass various aspects of juvenile delinquency and young adult offending, with his current work concentrated in three areas: the causes and consequences of low self-control, the health consequences of a lack of sleep among teenagers, and racial and ethnic disparities in school discipline and juvenile... More About Author

Purchasing options

Please select a format:

ISBN: 9781483358994
$95.00

SAGE Knowledge is the ultimate social sciences digital library for students, researchers, and faculty. Hosting more than 4,400 titles, it includes an expansive range of SAGE eBook and eReference content, including scholarly monographs, reference works, handbooks, series, professional development titles, and more.

The platform allows researchers to cross-search and seamlessly access a wide breadth of must-have SAGE book and reference content from one source.