Graduation Year
2007
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Granting Department
Criminology
Major Professor
Shayne Jones, Ph.D.
Co-Major Professor
Christine Sellers, Ph.D.
Keywords
Social learning, Control, Deterrence, Strain, General theory of crime, Interactive effects
Abstract
Self-control and various elements comprising this construct have received much credit over the years as it has been able to account for a large amount of variance in delinquency rates. Some research has suggested that individual difference factors (e.g., self-control) can overwhelm external factors (e.g., neighborhoods; see Loeber & Wikström, 2000). Others have found that social influences (e.g., employment; see Wright, et al, 2001) have more pronounced effects for those most at-risk. Because of the equivocal nature of the empirical findings, this study seeks to replicate and extend previous efforts. Specifically, the influence of constructs derived from social learning, control, deterrence, and strain are examined to see if any vary in their influence on adolescent offending as a function of self-control. Results indicate that all of these theoretical constructs (with the exception of paternal attachment) played a more important role among those who evinced the highest levels of self-control. Implications for criminological theory and criminal justice policy are discussed.
Scholar Commons Citation
Yarbrough, Angela, "The conditional influence of criminological constructs on juvenile delinquency: An examination of the moderating effects of self-control" (2007). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/2423
