APA research paper on Aggression and Anti social behavior.

Identifying a Correlation Between Illegal Behavior and Self Control:

A Literature Review

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Author's Note: This paper was prepared for Social Psychology with Dr. Jim Doyle.

Abstract

Social psychologists have found a correlation between illegal behavior and self-control.

The unlawful conduct can take the form of theft, inability to appreciate other people’s

boundaries, self-damaging behavior, or even violence. Poor self-control can develop in children

and lead to a life time of making poor choices, even to the point of criminal behavior.

Identifying what causes poor self-regulation later in life is an opportunity to correcting the

behavior before it becomes a problem.

Introduction

The purpose of this research is to find the relationship between poor self-control and

illegal and self-damaging behavior. Detecting the causes of poor self-regulation should allow for

intervention before a possible poor outcome. This literature review found support of the

correlation between unlawful behaviors and poor self-control. Opportunities for assistance were

also presented to lessen the adverse effects of early childhood neglect.

Literature Review

Definitions

Self-control is the restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires

(Merriam-Webster.com).

Criminal behavior refers to conduct of an offender that leads to and including the

commission of an unlawful act. (Criminal Definition, N.D.).

Behavioral Self-regulation “is the ability to act in your long-term best interest, consistent

with your deepest values” (Stosny, 2011, 1).

Emotional self-regulation “is the ability to calm yourself down when you're upset and

cheer yourself up when you're down” (Stosny, 2011, 1).

Consistent self-regulation “requires focus on your deepest values rather than feelings”

(Stosny, 2011, 1).

Self-Regulation “is described as cyclical because the feedback from prior performance is

used to make adjustments during current efforts” (Boekaerts, Pintrich, & Zeider, 2000, 14).

Causes of Poor Self-Control

The causes of poor self-control are numerous. There is not just one definite reason or

theory that fits every circumstance. Recognizing that fact, this paper will examine social control

theories, ineffective parenting, and incomplete or ineffective socialization as main causes of poor

self-control and self-regulation.

The social bonding and self-control theories specifically address delinquency and its

relationship to self-control. Referring to the study conducted by Glueck and Glueck in 1950,

Owens-Sabir (2007) notes that according to the social bonding theory, “Familial background of

delinquents … was less adequate than that of non-delinquents” (5). The status of the homes of

delinquents included missing parents due to separation, divorce, or death making it “difficult for

bonding to take place in during the formative years” (Owens-Sabir, 2007, 5). Other social

bonding theories, including Reiss’ and Hirschi’s, describe the reasons for delinquency as “lack of

personal and social controls” and “weakened or broken bonds to society” respectively (Owens-

Sabir, 2007, 6). Social psychologist Hirschi also asserted that ”people who lack self-control will

tend to be impulsive, insensitive, physical rather than mental, risk taking, short-sighted and

nonverbal, and they will tend, therefore, to engage in criminal and analogous acts” (Owens-

Sabir, 2007, 11). Because impulsivity and the inability to delay gratification is found in those

with low-self-control, this theory draws a correlation between criminal acts and low self-control.

Ineffective parenting is a major source of low self-control and poor self-regulation

according to Owens-Sabir (2007, 13). Parenting can be considered ineffective when it lacks

nurturing, time spent with children, and harsh discipline but can also include too much attention

and making children the primary focus in the household to the exclusion of other relationships.

Ineffective parenting that includes neglect appears to have the most research and indicators of

future illegal behavior. Only a few studies were found to have solely considered the effects of

neglect on future criminal behavior. In one such study which examined the relationship between

childhood neglect and juvenile delinquency in the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development,

the researchers found “that childhood neglect dramatically increased the odds of being convicted

of an offense as an adolescent … and significantly predicted self-reported offending”

(Kazemanian, Spatz Widom, & Farrington, 2011, 7). In effect, this study is stating that there is

an association between early neglect, most commonly lack of attention or affection, to future

criminal behavior.

Lack of socialization in early childhood is another reason for low self-control. According

to Owens-Sabir (2007, 12), not socializing the child during child-rearing is specifically a reason

for this trait. Expressing concern for other people, knowing when one is violating another’s

boundaries, and realizing what is accepted in society and recognizing established norms is taught

by parents or guardians as part of socialization at an early age. When correctly developed,

criminal behavior is lessened, though not taken away. When not developed, a lack of conscience

allows for criminal behavior. According to current literature, training children to consider the

rights and feelings of others results in adequate socialization while the opposite results in deviant

and/or criminal behavior (Owens-Sabir, 2007, 13). It is important to note that not all children

who are not taught socialization become criminals.

Results of Poor Self-Control

Poor self-control results in an inability to appreciate other people’s boundaries,

narcissism (extreme self-absorption for these purposes), theft, self-damaging behavior, and even

violent behavior. In Cleary’s (2004) review of the General Theory of Crime, she notes that this

theory “expects those who commit crimes to engage also in acts analogous to crime, since both

behaviors involve immediate self-gratification” (6). Self-gratifying acts can include self-

damaging behaviors like smoking, using drugs, and excessive drinking. This need for instant

gratification and lack of self-control can easily lead to criminal acts like theft and event violent

crime. Further, in Cleary’s study of sex offenders, she found evidence in “interviews that

indicated the behavior of sex offenders corresponded with the indicators of low self-control”

(142). Taking that research into account, once again a correlation is reinforced between low self-

control and criminal behavior.

Implications

The implications of this research are far reaching. Since there is a correlation between

poor self-regulation and criminal behavior and we know major causes of poor self-control, there

should be an ability to change the outcomes by correcting the source of the problem. The ability

to reduce future criminal behavior appears to begin with parenting our children in an effective

manner.

Recommendations

Since the three causes of low self-control/regulation studied in this paper relate to family

situations, it is only natural to recommend that parenting and family development be assisted in

high risk situations. When a child experiences a loss of a parent, neglect at home, or any

situation where there is not proper attention being shown or skills being taught to the child, there

should be programs to intervene. This might include required parenting classes or regular social

worker visits to the home. Educating parents and guardians of the child’s psychological needs

appears to be a common theme for children in high risk of delinquency homes. Effective

reporting and investigation needs to be standard. However, it is important that this process

remains objective and not subjective based on a social worker’s previous experience. (After all,

children are still capable of lying and exaggerating their circumstances at home.) Once all the

information is available, which should hopefully not take a great period of time, and then

services to help the family should be offered. While it is important to get involved as early as

possible when the neglect has been identified, it is also important not to set expectations of future

criminal behavior due to the current home situation.

The current culture of delegating childrearing to the child has to be addressed as well. It

appears that parents are more worried about their children’s opinion of them than raising healthy,

competent adults. This change has to also come from the home but perhaps could be supported

by local organizations like churches.

Conclusion

After review of the some of the available literature, it is apparent that there is more than

enough information available to create standards and processes for identifying high risk

delinquency opportunities. With the growing number of families living in poverty and having

parents away from the home extensively, a system of identifying high risk children without

stigmatizing should be available. Services that do not exacerbate the potential problem should

be readily available even if it is just the Boy’s and Girl’s Club or YMCA type of situation. With

our current knowledge, there should not be a reason for allowing one more child to be pushed

toward criminal behavior due to neglect or lack of a perfect family situation.

References

Boekaerts, M., Pintrich, P.R., & Zeider, M. (2000). Handbook of self-regulation. San Diego:

Academic.

Cleary, S. (2004). Sex offenders and self-control: Explaining sexual violence. New York: LFB

Scholarly Publisher.

Criminal definition. (N. D.). U. S. Legal. Web. 1 Mar. 2014.

<http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/criminal-behavior/>.

Kazemanian, L., Spatz Widom, C., & Farrington, D.P. (2011). A prospective examination of the

relationship between childhood neglect and juvenile delinquency in the Cambridge Study

in Delinquent Development. International Journal of Child, Youth and Family Studies,

2(1-2), 65-82.

Merriam-Webster.com. (N.D.). 1 Mar. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-

control>

Owens-Sabir, M.C. (2007). The effects of race and family attachment on self-esteem, self-

control, and delinquency. New York: LFB Scholarly.

Stosny, S. (2011, Oct.) Anger in the age of entitlement: Cleaning up emotional pollution.

Psychology Today, 28, 1. Digital file.