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Self-Control Theory: Theoretical and Research Issues

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Handbook on Crime and Deviance

Part of the book series: Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research ((HSSR))

Abstract

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control theory is now nearly 30 years old. It remains one of the most popular perspectives in criminology, enjoying much empirical support. Measurement and theoretical advances have continued to keep the perspective fresh for scholarly tests. In this chapter, we review the extant literature on self-control theory and discuss remaining theoretical questions. These questions include the role of opportunity in the explanation of crime, the importance of moderators of self-control, the effect of self-control on life domains, unpacking the components of self-control, and the relationship of self-control and different crime types. We conclude by addressing what the theory has to say about policy. In the end, self-control theory has pointed toward important factors related to criminal and analogous behavior, but has also raised as many questions as it has answered. It seems safe to say that the theory will remain relevant in criminology for years to come.

Prepared for M. D. Krohn et al. (eds.), Handbook on Crime and Deviance, 2nd edition.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Hirschi chaired the dissertations of both Laub and Sampson at the University at Albany, SUNY (personal communication, John Laub, January 26, 2018).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bates College, Lewiston, ME, USA

    Michael Rocque

  2. University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA

    Alex R. Piquero

  3. Maine Department of Corrections, Augusta, ME, USA

    Michael Rocque

  4. Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    Alex R. Piquero

Authors
  1. Michael Rocque
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  2. Alex R. Piquero
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Correspondence to Michael Rocque .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology and Criminology & Law, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Marvin D. Krohn

  2. Department of Criminal Justice, Radford University, Radford, VA, USA

    Nicole Hendrix

  3. School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA

    Gina Penly Hall

  4. School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA

    Alan J. Lizotte

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Rocque, M., Piquero, A.R. (2019). Self-Control Theory: Theoretical and Research Issues. In: Krohn, M., Hendrix, N., Penly Hall, G., Lizotte, A. (eds) Handbook on Crime and Deviance. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20779-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20779-3_7

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