Self-Control Theory: The Ability to Act On Long-Term Decisions - Essay Sample

Introduction

Gottfredson and Hirschi proposed the self-control theory to refer to the ability to relinquish one’s immediate or near terms of pleasure that have some possibility of adverse outcomes. The ability to act on decisions that favor one’s position in the longer term is from a personal perspective, the most intriguing aspect of the theory (Gottfredson, 2017). The argument is speculated to be share concepts with practices such as self-regulation and impulsiveness in psychology. Though the approach offers a proper understanding of how crime can be addressed, the ideas do not provide predisposition to crime or the personality of crime and misbehaviour (Gottfredson, 2017). The theory works on the concept people are not inherently criminal nor socialized into delinquency. Instead, the difference between people is based on the development of self-control (Rocque & Piquero, 2019). Overall, the purpose of self-control theory is to construct a better model to comprehend modern criminal theories.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

In the current social setting, individuals who possess low self-control indulge in criminal activities or misdemeanors. It also presents the population of individuals who are easy targets for cybercrimes. According to researchers from the University of Michigan, individuals' personality traits and behaviors are the current determinants for cybercrime exploitation in the U.S. (Mesch & Dodel, 2018). Low self-control can take up various forms depicting the lack of forethought, carelessness, and inability to delay the satisfaction of an individual. Under normal conditions, the identified traits would have been grounds for committing a crime (Mesch & Dodel, 2018). However, cybercriminals are aware that people with low self-control are more lucrative targets.

By comprehending the psychological aspect of self-control as well as the types of people who can be vulnerable to cybercrime, digital crime can be fought under equal grounds. The human element of digital crime barely focuses on the psychological aspect as most resources are directed towards technical needs (Rocque & Piquero, 2019). Digital crime has better prospects of being controlled by redirecting resources towards understanding self-control. The notion is supported by empirical data to have better outcomes. Nevertheless, understanding the human element of digital crime, such as low self-control, would offer a more effective intervention for controlling digital crime.

References

Gottfredson, M. (2017). Self-Control Theory and Crime. Oxford Research Encyclopedia Of Criminology And Criminal Justice. doi: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190264079.013.252

Mesch, G., & Dodel, M. (2018). Low Self-Control, Information Disclosure, and the Risk of Online Fraud. American Behavioral Scientist, 62(10), 1356-1371. doi: 10.1177/0002764218787854

Rocque, M., & Piquero, A. (2019). Self-Control Theory: Theoretical and Research Issues. Handbooks Of Sociology And Social Research, 131-144. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-20779-3_7