TY - JOUR
T1 - The relationship between elements and manifestations of low self-control in a general theory of crime
T2 - Two comments and a test
AU - Stylianou, Stelios
PY - 2002/11
Y1 - 2002/11
N2 - I discuss two issues about the empirical assessment of Gottfredson and Hirschi's (1990) general theory of crime. First, regarding the internal validity of corresponding causal models, I argue that more attention must be paid to the distinction between independent and dependent variables (elements versus manifestations of low self-control). Second, regarding the interpretation of statistical results, I argue that researchers should not lose sight of the distinction between statistical and substantive significance. I also report a test of the theory based on data from a representative sample of high school seniors in the United States. The results of the test show that low self-control is a correct and certain, yet weak, predictor of certain deviant behaviors (skipping class, traffic violations, cigarette smoking, and the use of alcohol and marijuana).
AB - I discuss two issues about the empirical assessment of Gottfredson and Hirschi's (1990) general theory of crime. First, regarding the internal validity of corresponding causal models, I argue that more attention must be paid to the distinction between independent and dependent variables (elements versus manifestations of low self-control). Second, regarding the interpretation of statistical results, I argue that researchers should not lose sight of the distinction between statistical and substantive significance. I also report a test of the theory based on data from a representative sample of high school seniors in the United States. The results of the test show that low self-control is a correct and certain, yet weak, predictor of certain deviant behaviors (skipping class, traffic violations, cigarette smoking, and the use of alcohol and marijuana).
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036830372&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/01639620290086512
DO - 10.1080/01639620290086512
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0036830372
SN - 0163-9625
VL - 23
SP - 531
EP - 557
JO - Deviant Behavior
JF - Deviant Behavior
IS - 6
ER -