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An Integrative Assessment of Self-Control, Deviant Friendships, and Fraudulent Behavior

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Abstract

Decades of research consistently support the link between poor self-control or deviant friendships with undesirable behavior. Rather than treating these theories as rival explanations, this study presents an assessment that explores a potential interconnection between self-control and social learning (differential association) in the prediction of deviant outcomes. Specifically, this investigation analyzes the mediating and moderating impact of deviant peer association upon the relationship between self-control and self-reported fraudulent behavior (academic dishonesty). Data gathered from an anonymous survey of undergraduate students (n = 490) generated findings that suggest deviant friendships mediate and moderate the association between self-control and fraudulent behavior. The implications of these findings are discussed.

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Data and survey questionnaires are available by contacting the first author.

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Notes

  1. In a separate analysis not shown, (low) self-control increased explained variance by 4.2% when added to a model with controls and differential association variables. Furthermore, decreases in effect size for the number of friends who cheat (13.5%) and unfavorable definitions to cheating (18.5%) were modest.

  2. Slope differences were computed employing the formula proposed by Paternoster, Brame, Mazerolle, & Piquero (1998).

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  1. Department of Criminal Justice, Rochester Institute of Technology, 93 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY, 14623-5603, USA

    Tony R. Smith, O. Nicholas Robertson & Jason D. Scott

  2. College of Social Work & Criminal Justice, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL, USA

    Vaughn J. Crichlow

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Smith, T.R., Crichlow, V.J., Robertson, O.N. et al. An Integrative Assessment of Self-Control, Deviant Friendships, and Fraudulent Behavior. Am J Crim Just 48, 273–293 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-021-09642-9

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