SELF-CONTROL AND JUVENILE-DELINQUENCY - THEORETICAL ISSUES AND AN EMPIRICAL-ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED ELEMENTS OF A GENERAL-THEORY OF CRIME

Social control theory has been one of the most influential explanations of crime and delinquency for many years. Gottfredson and Hirschi propose a new general theory of crime that includes individual restraints on behavior, or ''self-control,'' as distinguished from social restraints. The elements of self-control include an ability to defer gratification, the tendency to be cautious and diligent, cognitive ability, and sensitivity toward others. In this paper we analyze the construct of self-control and its relationship to official and self-reported measures of juvenile delinquency.