Abstract
Although self-control theory has been thought to be entirely consistent with the gang selection model, key theoretical predictions of the general theory imply gang selection effects for those with lower self-control and gang facilitation effects for those with higher self-control. This new hypothesis is tested among a large sample of jail inmates. Results indicate that self-control did not render the gang-violence relationship spurious for the sample as a whole. Gang membership had a significantly greater impact on violent crime among those with very high self-control, but there were still statistically significant gang facilitation effects for the other three self-control groups.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 996-1019 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | Deviant Behavior |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2013 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Sociology and Political Science
- Law