@article{ref1,
title="When does self-control matter? The interaction between morality and self-control in crime causation",
journal="European journal of criminology",
year="2010",
author="Wikström, Per-Olof H. and Svensson, R.",
volume="7",
number="5",
pages="395-410",
abstract="In this paper we will test  one of the key assumptions of Situational Action Theory: that individuals’ (law-relevant) morality is more fundamental to their crime involvement than their ability to exercise self-control. We specifically hypothesize that, for individuals with a strong morality, their capability to exercise self-control plays less of a role in their crime involvement than it does for individuals with a weak morality, whose capability to exercise self-control may substantially influence their engagement in crime. To test this hypothesis we use data from the Peterborough Youth Study (PYS), a cross-sectional survey of 1957 adolescents aged 14—15 from the UK city of Peterborough. The findings support the main hypothesis: young people with a strong (law-relevant) morality do not engage in crime, regardless of their ability to exercise self-control. However, among those with a weaker (law-relevant) morality, their ability to exercise self-control is an important factor in their crime involvement.<p />",
language="",
issn="1477-3708",
doi="10.1177/1477370810372132",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1477370810372132"
}