Self-control Depletion and the General Theory of Crime
Criminological research on self-control focuses mainly on self-control failure. Such research has not, however, investigated the consequences of exercising self-control for the individual doing so. The present study investigates this issue within the framework of both criminological self-control the...
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Contributors: | ; |
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2006
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In: |
Journal of quantitative criminology
Year: 2006, Volume: 22, Issue: 3, Pages: 263-277 |
Online Access: |
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Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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Summary: | Criminological research on self-control focuses mainly on self-control failure. Such research has not, however, investigated the consequences of exercising self-control for the individual doing so. The present study investigates this issue within the framework of both criminological self-control theory and research on self-control depletion from social psychology, which depicts self-control as akin to a “muscle” that is “depletable” by prior use [Muraven and Baumeister (2000) Psycholog Bull 126:247–259]. Results are presented from a laboratory experiment in which students have the opportunity to cheat. Both “trait self-control,” as measured by the Grasmick et al. [(1993) J Res Crime Delinq 30:5–29] self-control inventory, and “self-control depletion” independently predicted cheating. The implications of these findings are explored for criminological perspectives on self-control and offender decision-making. |
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ISSN: | 1573-7799 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s10940-006-9011-1 |