@article{ref1,
title="Criminal self-efficacy: exploring the correlates and consequences of a "successful criminal" identity",
journal="Criminal justice and behavior",
year="2012",
author="Brezina, Timothy and Topalli, Volkan",
volume="39",
number="8",
pages="1042-1062",
abstract="Self-efficacy refers to the belief that one can perform successfully at a given task or endeavor. Previous research indicates that self-efficacy in relation to conventional pursuits (e.g., performance in school) is associated with positive social adjustment. However, the possibility that individuals may develop self-efficacy in relation to nonconventional pursuits-including crime and delinquency-remains largely unexplored. In this study, the authors adopt a multimethod approach to explore (a) offenders' personal judgments regarding their level of effectiveness or &quot;success&quot; at crime, (b) the factors that contribute to high criminal self-efficacy, and (c) the impact of self-efficacy judgments on offenders' future intentions. <br><br>RESULTS of quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal that many offenders maintain a strong sense of criminal efficacy despite past arrests, convictions, and incarceration. Moreover, criminal self-efficacy tends to reduce their intentions to desist from crime. Implications for punishment, deterrence, and criminological theory are discussed. KW: Juvenile justice; Juvenile delinquency;<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0093-8548",
doi="10.1177/0093854812438345",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0093854812438345"
}