Abstract
Social psychologists have found a correlation between illegal behavior and self-control.
The unlawful conduct can take the form of theft, inability to appreciate other people's
boundaries, self-damaging behavior, or even violence. Poor self-control can develop in children and lead to a life time of making poor choices, even to the point of criminal behavior. Identifying what causes poor self-regulation later in life is an opportunity to correcting the behavior before it becomes a problem.
Introduction
The purpose of this research is to find the relationship between poor self-control and illegal and self-damaging behavior. Detecting the causes of poor self-regulation should allow for intervention before a possible poor outcome. This literature review found support of the
correlation between unlawful behaviors and poor self-control. Opportunities for assistance were also presented to lessen the adverse effects of early childhood neglect.
Literature Review Definitions
Self-control is the restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires (Merriam-Webster.com).
Criminal behavior refers to conduct of an offender that leads to and including the commission of an unlawful act. (Criminal Definition, N.D.). Behavioral Self-regulation "is the ability to act in your long-term best interest, consistent
with your deepest values" (Stosny, 2011, 1). Emotional self-regulation "is the ability to calm yourself down when you're upset and
cheer yourself up when you're down" (Stosny, 2011, 1). Consistent self-regulation "requires focus on your deepest values rather than feelings" (Stosny, 2011, 1).
Self-Regulation "is described as cyclical because the feedback from prior performance is used to make adjustments during current efforts" (Boekaerts, Pintrich, & Zeider, 2000, 14).
Causes of Poor Self-Control
The causes of poor self-control are numerous. There is not just one definite reason or theory that fits every circumstance. Recognizing that fact, this paper will examine social control theories, ineffective parenting, and incomplete or ineffective socialization as main causes of poor self-control and self-regulation.
The social bonding and self-control theories specifically address delinquency and its relationship to self-control. Referring to the study conducted by Glueck and Glueck in 1950, Owens-Sabir (2007) notes that according to the social bonding theory, "Familial background of
delinquents ... was less adequate than that of non-delinquents" (5). The status of the homes of delinquents included missing parents due to separation, divorce, or death making it "difficult for bonding to take place in during the formative years" (Owens-Sabir, 2007, 5). Other social bonding theories, including Reiss' and Hirschi's, describe the reasons for delinquency as "lack of
personal and social controls" and "weakened or broken bonds to society" respectively (OwensSabir, 2007, 6). Social psychologist Hirschi also asserted that "people who lack self-control will tend to be impulsive, insensitive, physical rather than mental, risk taking, short-sighted and nonverbal, and they will tend, therefore, to engage in criminal and analogous acts" (OwensSabir,
2007, 11). Because impulsivity and the inability to delay gratification is found in those with low-self-control, this theory draws a correlation between criminal acts and low self-control.
Ineffective parenting is a major source of low self-control and poor self-regulation according to Owens-Sabir (2007, 13). Parenting can be considered ineffective when it lacks nurturing, time spent with children, and harsh discipline but can also include too much attention
and making children the primary focus in the household to the exclusion of other relationships. Ineffective parenting that includes neglect appears to have the most research and indicators of future illegal behavior. Only a few studies were found to have solely considered the effects of neglect on future criminal behavior. In one such study which examined the relationship between
childhood neglect and juvenile delinquency in the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development, the researchers found "that childhood neglect dramatically increased the odds of being convicted of an offense as an adolescent ... and significantly predicted self-reported offending" (Kazemanian, Spatz Widom, & Farrington, 2011, 7). In effect, this study is stating that there is
an association between early neglect, most commonly lack of attention or affection, to future criminal behavior.
Lack of socialization in early childhood is another reason for low self-control. According to Owens-Sabir (2007, 12), not socializing the child during child-rearing is specifically a reason for this trait. Expressing concern for other people, knowing when one is violating another's boundaries, and realizing what is accepted in society and recognizing established norms is taught
by parents or guardians as part of socialization at an early age. When correctly developed, criminal behavior is lessened, though not taken away. When not developed, a lack of conscience allows for criminal behavior. According to current literature, training children to consider the rights and feelings of others results in adequate socialization while the opposite results in deviant
and/or criminal behavior (Owens-Sabir, 2007, 13). It is important to note that not all children who are not taught socialization become criminals. Results of Poor Self-Control
Poor self-control results in an inability to appreciate other people's boundaries, narcissism (extreme self-absorption for these purposes), theft, self-damaging behavior, and even violent behavior. In Cleary's (2004) review of the General Theory of Crime, she notes that this theory "expects those who commit crimes to engage also in acts analogous to crime, since both
behaviors involve immediate self-gratification" (6). Self-gratifying acts can include selfdamaging behaviors like smoking, using drugs, and excessive drinking. This need for instant gratification and lack of self-control can easily lead to criminal acts like theft and event violent
crime. Further, in Cleary's study of sex offenders, she found evidence in "interviews that indicated the behavior of sex offenders corresponded with the indicators of low self-control" (142). Taking that research into account, once again a correlation is reinforced between low selfcontrol and criminal behavior.
Implications The implications of this research are far reaching. Since there is a correlation between
poor self-regulation and criminal behavior and we know major causes of poor self-control, there should be an ability to change the outcomes by correcting the source of the problem. The ability to reduce future criminal behavior appears to begin with parenting our children in an effective manner.
Recommendations Since the three causes of low self-control/regulation studied in this paper relate to family
situations, it is only natural to recommend that parenting and family development be assisted in high risk situations. When a child experiences a loss of a parent, neglect at home, or any situation where there is not proper attention being shown or skills being taught to the child, there should be programs to intervene. This might include required parenting classes or regular social
worker visits to the home. Educating parents and guardians of the child's psychological needs appears to be a common theme for children in high risk of delinquency homes. Effective reporting and investigation needs to be standard. However, it is important that this process remains objective and not subjective based on a social worker's previous experience. (After all,
children are still capable of lying and exaggerating their circumstances at home.) Once all the information is available, which should hopefully not take a great period of time, and then services to help the family should be offered. While it is important to get involved as early as possible when the neglect has been identified, it is also important not to set expectations of future
criminal behavior due to the current home situation. The current culture of delegating childrearing to the child has to be addressed as well. It appears that parents are more worried about their children's opinion of them than raising healthy,
competent adults. This change has to also come from the home but perhaps could be supported by local organizations like churches.
Conclusion
After review of the some of the available literature, it is apparent that there is more than
enough information available to create standards and processes for identifying high risk delinquency opportunities. With the growing number of families living in poverty and having parents away from the home extensively, a system of identifying high risk children without stigmatizing should be available. Services that do not exacerbate the potential problem should
be readily available even if it is just the Boy's and Girl's Club or YMCA type of situation. Withour current knowledge, there should not be a reason for allowing one more child to be pushed toward criminal behavior due to neglect or lack of a perfect family situation.