Citation

Lee CA, Derefinko KJ, Milich R, Lynam DR, Dewall CN. Pers. Individ. Dif. 2017; 111: 193-198.

Affiliation

University of Kentucky.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.paid.2017.02.023

PMID

28970645

PMCID

PMC5621769

Abstract

Theorists argue that self-control failure is the underlying cause of criminal behavior, with previous research linking poor self-control to delinquency and drug use. The path from self-control to crime is well-established, but less is known about whether criminal behavior contributes to self-control deficits over time. We investigated bi-directional relations between self-control assessed via a delay discounting task and self-reported crime over a three-year period. During their first, second (73.38% retention rate), and third (63.12% retention rate) years of college, 526 undergraduates completed a delay discounting task and reported on their criminal behavior. In order to maximize variability, participants with conduct problems were overrecruited, comprising 23.1% of the final sample. As expected, more discounting of hypothetical monetary rewards significantly predicted future property crime across a one and two-year period, even when controlling for initial levels of both. This study also demonstrated evidence of a bi-directional relationship; violent crime predicted higher rates of delay discounting one year later. These results suggest that bi-directional relations exist between self-control and types of crime.

Language: en

Keywords

college students; crime; delay discounting; property crime; violent crime