Self‐control Theory and the Concept of Opportunity: The Case for a More Systematic Union*

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to advance the idea that low self-control-one of the strongest known predictors of crime-likely has effects that are conditional on the supply of criminal opportunities. Some scholars initially interpreted the theory to make this exact prediction, but Gottfredson and Hirschi (2003) have rejected this interpretation. They have insisted that the simplistic nature of most crimes ensures that opportunities are limitless and that variation in opportunity simply reflects variation in self-control. We trace the history of this uncertain position of opportunity in self-control theory and argue that it should play a significant role in the theory, even if Gottfredson and Hirschi did not originally envision this. Next, we draw on routine activities theory and applications of it to individual offending to offer a theoretical statement of how opportunity should be incorporated into self-control theory. Last, using data from a national sample of juveniles, we test the arguments that have been made. The analysis suggests that the effects of low self-control on delinquency partially depend on the availability of criminal opportunities, as indicated by the time juveniles spend with their friends or away from the supervision of their parents.

Self-control theory : an exploration of racial disparities in offending.

“…The path coefficient for parental management to self-control was 0.57, with a p-value of 0.00. This is consistent with Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) as well as previous research that parental management is important in developing self-control levels (Burt et aI., 2006;Cochran et aI., 1998;Feldman & Weinberger, 1994;Gibbs et aI., 1998;Hay, 2001;Hay & Forrest, 2008;Hope & Chapple, 2005;Hope, Grasmick, & Pointon, 2003;Nofziger, 2008;Perrone et aI., 2004;Polakowski, 1994;Pratt et aI., 2004;Unnever, Cullen, & Pratt, 2003).…”

“…These findings are consistant with the previous meta-analysis mentioned (Piquero, et aI., 2008) that focused on early family/parenting programs. Therefore although programs that focus on selfcontrol and parental management may be different, ultimately parental management effects self-control levels (Burt et aI., 2006;Cochran et aI., 1998;Feldman & Weinberger, 1994;Gibbs et aI., 1998;Hay & Forrest, 2008;Hay, 2001;Hope & Chapple, 2005;Hope, et aI., 2003;Nofziger, 2008;Perrone et aI., 2004;Polakowski, 1994;Pratt et aI., 2004;Unnever, et aI., 2003), as theorized by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990), as well as shown in the present study.…”

“…However, some literature does exist that has examined the connection between parental management, self-control, and offending. For example, the following studies have supported the connection between parental management, low self-control, and offending (Burt, Simons, & Simons, 2006;Cochran, Wood, Sellers, Wilkerson & Chamlin, 1998;Feldman & Weinberger, 1994;Gibbs, Giever, & Higgins, 2003;Gibbs, Giever, & Martin, 1998;Hay, 2001;Hay & Forrest, 2008;Hope & Chapple, 2005;Hope, Grasmick, & Pointon, 2003;Nofziger, 2008;Perrone, Sullivan, Pratt, & Margaryan, 2004;Polakowski, 1994;Pratt et aI., 2004;Unnever, Cullen, & Pratt, 2003). In short, these studies suggest that a connection between parental management, self-control, and offending exists as Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) suggested.…”

“…This study like all of the others which examined race did not include a measure of parental management; therefore, they concluded partial support for self-control theory, by showing that the link between self-control and offending was present although only for whites and not for blacks. Hay and Forrest (2008) included race as a control measure, when examining self-control and offending. Their findings remained consistent with other research that self-control is a reliable predictor of offending, however their results that mentioned race were only in their preliminary results.…”

“…For the purpose of this study, the NLSY79 has been used multiple times to examine self-control theory (Beaver, Wright, Delisi, & Vaughn, 2008;Chapple, 2005;Chapple & Hope, 2003;Hay, 2001;Hay & Forrest, 2008;Higgins et aI., in press;Nofziger, 2008;Pratt, et aI., 2004;Turner & Piquero, 2002;Wright & Cullen, 2001). …”