Evaluate the Self Control Theory of Crime Essay

Evaluate the Self Control Theory of Crime - Essay Example Negative feelings such as guilt, shame, inferiority, depression, self-pity, anger, fear, revenge, unforgiveness, resentment, jealousy, envy, etc., are just to name a few that emotionally affects self-control. Man is a rational creature - is the notion assumed at first by self-control theory. A person usually balances sound judgment before making a sensible decision. According to Gottfredson and Hirschi, crimes are restraints or deception that a person continues to do since he gains maximum benefits with little effort. Illegal act or violation of laws pledges great compensation with little harm present. Because of these findings, Gottfredson and Hirschi regarded a person's tendency to perpetrate crimes with their level of self-control. People with low self-control usually can't suppress themselves from the tempting instant gratification. The two authors discussed the root of low self-control prosper at a young age because of futile or defective environment. There are several studies that established on the basis that a man's development is conditioned by his past experiences, specifically the formative years. A healthy, pleasant experience during childhood may be considered as most conduc ive to the development of an emotionally stable and mature individual. Conversely, the growth of a child in a traumatic, unpleasant atmosphere particularly with parents, guardians, siblings and peers conditions the development of personality disorder. Low self-control is a behavioral problem that may be seen among people with childhood hang-ups and traumas. Frail or deficient relation, guidance, and cultivation from parents before the child is eight years old are possible reason of unsuccessful personality. Gottfredson and Hirschi's reports gain support from empirical literature in regards to the connection of low self-control to crime or deviance. Low self-control was considered at least a moderate predictor of crime and deviance, according to Pratt and Cullen's (2000) meta-analysis that was shown in more than twenty studies (Higgins and Ricketts, 2004; Gottfredson and Hirschi, 1990). The following are characteristics of an individual who has weak self-control: adventurous, troublemaker, lack perseverance, involved in prohibited sexual activities, not interested in long-term work and educational goals and has difficulty in keeping a stable work and enduring personal relationships. With respect to crime, people deprived of needed satisfaction and demands when growing are those who resort to violence and commit petty crimes. They engage in such unlawful act to win attention or recognition or just to exercise freedom. Gottfredson and Hirschi also asserted that people who enter into a pseudo-abnormal manner such as smoking or drinking have low self-control. A noted comment or criticism of self-control theory is that it reduces the importance of the outcome of race and economics status instead it was concentrated on parenting as the resort of having low self-control in the early stage of life ("MicroCase exercise