TY - JOUR PY - 2010// TI - When does self-control matter? The interaction between morality and self-control in crime causation JO - European journal of criminology A1 - Wikström, Per-Olof H. A1 - Svensson, R. SP - 395 EP - 410 VL - 7 IS - 5 N2 - 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.

LA - SN - 1477-3708 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1477370810372132 ID - ref1 ER -