General Theory of Crime
November 29, 2012
General Theory of Crime There has been much controversy and studies done on Gottfredson and Hirschi’s development of their book-length theory, General Theory of Crime. They discuss ideas and concepts concerning self-control and how that affects an individual’s likelihood of committing criminal acts. If a person lacks in self-control, they are more prone to being deviant given the correct circumstances and factors surrounding their situation. Considered to be such a simple theory, it offers empirical evidence and various explanations as to why deviant individuals choose a different path in contrast to non-deviant, rule-following individuals. However, while simple, it does work to explain a broad spectrum of ideas and provides space for interpretation. In this paper I will be discussing the ideas presented by Gottfredson and Hirschi in their theory regarding self-control as well as the historical and empirical studies done surrounding the General Theory of Crime.
Michael Gottfredson is an American Criminologist who was also the provost at UC Irvine and is currently the president of the University of Oregon. Travis Hirschi, too, is an American criminologist who received his Ph.D. in sociology from UC Berkeley. He developed the Social Control Theory, which describes that the absence of social bonds and attachments to society can result in the increased likelihood of delinquency. In this theory, Gottfredson focused more on the societal controls on an individual. In 1990, Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi developed the theory of self-control, which focuses on the existence or the lack thereof self-control within an individual. Gottfredson and Hirschi make the switch from external control to those of internal causation. However, a relevancy does exist, for Hirschi believes that social controls can be used in explaining criminal behavior. Those controls have the competency to influence self-control, which according to Hirschi, is ingrained in an
General Theory of Crime There has been much controversy and studies done on Gottfredson and Hirschi’s development of their book-length theory, General Theory of Crime. They discuss ideas and concepts concerning self-control and how that affects an individual’s likelihood of committing criminal acts. If a person lacks in self-control, they are more prone to being deviant given the correct circumstances and factors surrounding their situation. Considered to be such a simple theory, it offers empirical evidence and various explanations as to why deviant individuals choose a different path in contrast to non-deviant, rule-following individuals. However, while simple, it does work to explain a broad spectrum of ideas and provides space for interpretation. In this paper I will be discussing the ideas presented by Gottfredson and Hirschi in their theory regarding self-control as well as the historical and empirical studies done surrounding the General Theory of Crime.
Michael Gottfredson is an American Criminologist who was also the provost at UC Irvine and is currently the president of the University of Oregon. Travis Hirschi, too, is an American criminologist who received his Ph.D. in sociology from UC Berkeley. He developed the Social Control Theory, which describes that the absence of social bonds and attachments to society can result in the increased likelihood of delinquency. In this theory, Gottfredson focused more on the societal controls on an individual. In 1990, Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi developed the theory of self-control, which focuses on the existence or the lack thereof self-control within an individual. Gottfredson and Hirschi make the switch from external control to those of internal causation. However, a relevancy does exist, for Hirschi believes that social controls can be used in explaining criminal behavior. Those controls have the competency to influence self-control, which according to Hirschi, is ingrained in an
Cited: Bernard, Thomas J, Jeffrey B. Snipes and Alexander L Gould. 2010. Vold 's Theoretical Criminology. New york, Oxford University Press. Cheung, Nicole W. T. and Yeut Cheung. 2007 "Self-control, Social Factors, and Delinquency: A Test of the General Theory of Crime Among Adolescents in Honk Kong." Journal of Youth and Adolescence 37(4):412-430. Retrieved from Ebsco on Nov 28, 2012 DeLisi, Matt and Michael G Vaughn. 2007 "Reconciling Self-control Theory, Criminal Careers and Career Criminals." International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 52(5):520-537. Retrieved from Ebsco on Nov 28, 2012 Gottfredson, Michael R and Travis Hirschi. 1990. A General Theory of Crime. Stanford, Stanford University Press. McMullen, John C. 1999. A Test of Self-Control Theory Using General Patterns of Deviance. Blacksburg, VA. Schulz, Stefan . 2004 "Problems with the Versatility Construct of Gottfredson and Hirschi 's General Theory of Crime." European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice 12(1):61-82. Retrieved Simpson, Sally S. and Nicole Piquero. 2002 "Low Self-Control, Organizational Theory, and Corporate Crime." Law and Society Review 36(3):509-. Retrieved from Ebsco on Nov 28, 2012 from Ebsco on Nov 28, 2012 Welch, Kelly. 1998. Two Major Theories of Travis Hirschi. http://www.criminology.fsu.edu/crimtheory/hirschi.htm. Nov 28, 2012