Testing the core empirical implications of Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime

In A General Theory of Crime, Gottfredson and Hirschi propose that low self-control, in interaction with criminal opportunity, is the major cause of crime. The research reported in this article attempts to test this argument while closely following the nominal definitions presented by Gottfredson an...

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Bibliographic Details
Contributors: Grasmick, Harold G. (Other) ; Tittle, Charles R. (Other) ; Bursik, Robert J. (Other) ; Arneklev, Bruce J. (Other) ; Tittle, Charles R. 1939- ; Bursik, Robert J. -2017
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
Published: 1993
In: Journal of research in crime and delinquency
Year: 1993, Volume: 30, Issue: 1, Pages: 5-29
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
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Availability in Tübingen:Present in Tübingen.
IFK: In: Z 31
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Keywords:
Allgemeine Kriminalitätstheorie
Egozentrismus
Gelegenheitskriminalität
Kriminalität
Kriminalitätsbegriff
Kriminalitätstheorien
Selbstkontrolle
Täterpersönlichkeit
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Summary:In A General Theory of Crime, Gottfredson and Hirschi propose that low self-control, in interaction with criminal opportunity, is the major cause of crime. The research reported in this article attempts to test this argument while closely following the nominal definitions presented by Gottfredson and Hirschi. A factor analysis of items designed to measure low self-control is consistent with their contention that the trait is unidimensional. Further, the proposed interaction effect is found for self-reported acts of both fraud and force their definition of crime. Inconsistent with the theory are a the finding that criminal opportunity has a significant main effect, beyond its interaction with low self-control, on self-reported crime and b the substantial proportion of variance in crime left unexplained by the theoretical variables. Suggestions are offered for modifying and expanding the theory. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
ISSN:0022-4278
DOI:10.1177/0022427893030001002