Application of the Self Control Theories in Criminology - Research Paper Example

 Application of the Self Control Theories in Criminology CONTENTS Abstract……………………………………………………………………………3 Introduction………………………………………………………………………..4 Self-control theory………………………………………………………………... 5 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………8 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………… 9 ABSTRACT Crime is at a rise all over the world. It is also been established that economic affluence of a nation has nothing to do with its occurrence. The growing tension in modern world along with disturbed mind set up has often been blamed for this rise in crime rate. Such is the power of crime that it has created an altogether distinct discipline called criminology. This paper tries to relate criminology with the self control theories and makes an attempt to visualize the impact that they might bring if they are put into effect in our everyday life. It was often thought that poverty has a direct correlation with crime rate (Wozniak, 2000, pp. 380-381) and (Shaw, Dijk & Rhomberg, 2000, pp. 60-62). However such thought process encountered serious hindrance when it was discovered that the crime rate in developed nations is often higher than that of the developing nations. On their journey towards development, the countries like United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France and Russia have also encountered a staggering rise in crime rate that is much higher than Cyprus, Armenia, Oman, Nepal, and Albania which are much less developed than the previous mentioned countries (Reality check: Is the crime rate higher in developed countries? 2003). Places which were safe during the night have become dangerous even during the day. Extreme acts of violence have become common phenomena nowadays. At this back ground Criminology becomes a subject of extreme importance. The term associates with the scientific study of crime, their criminal behavior as well as law enforcement. It deals with how a society deals with crime and how it can be prevented. It also deals with the causes and effects of crime. It also analyses the effectiveness of the different punishment methods (Helton, 2009, pp. 7-8). Considering self control theories and applying them to tame the current onrush of crime might prove fruitful in our day to day life. Self control theory Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) have constructed a theory of self-control and have defined low self-control of individuals as actions taken by such individuals without keeping in mind the negative consequences of the same. According to this theory people take decisions or make choices which would give them favorable results in no time. On the contrary the ideal situation would be that before committing to anything we should always consider the consequences those commitments in the long-run, even if such actions lead to quick and favorable results. Individuals with low self-control indulge in antisocial and criminal activities like heavy drinking, drug abuse, and sexual assaults, lack of educational success, broken relationships, and instability in work and at the same time they are very impulsive and are not worried about the future consequences. Moreover the differences in approach towards self-control are formed during childhood. Again self-control and victimization has a strong positive correlation between them Schreck (1999) stated that victimization is another crime related outcome that evolves from the degree of self-esteem. Individuals with low self-control can be victimized very easily. Tasks that the victims have to perform seem profitable to them in the short-run, but in the long-run they are not at all profitable and advantageous to the victim (Schreck, 2006, pp.321- 324). According to Hechter and Kanazawa (1997), self-control can be described by the choice theory. It is up to the individuals to decide what their respective aims are and in order to achieve their goals what they need to do. If we have knowledge of these motives, then we can understand their behavior. Humans with low self-control are always attracted by easy pleasure and do not think of the future consequences, whereas individuals with greater self-control always worry about the consequences of their behavior and actions and that often saves them from being victimized (Schreck, 2006, p.321- 324). Human nature and control theory has been viewed by Hirschi from different angles. He did not stick to just one view of human nature. According to him offending can arise because of natural reasons like freedom from moral restraints. Aggressive actions can be minimized by the formation of social bonds. If an individual form a social bond he or she would think twice before doing anything, which is wrong or unethical, keeping in mind what the other person’s perceptions are regarding the actions he is about to take. The potential victim might come to know about the views of the other person whom he loves or respects. Now he may not do anything out of the fear that he may lose the other person’s company. Again it is possible that the person the potential victim respects might be good enough to pass his knowledge and ideas to him, which would enlighten him and restrain him from any sort of vicious activities. Thus an individual would be forced to think straight and concentrate on ethical actions and would never think of deviant acts. This will surely result to socially acceptable acts and save a person from becoming a mal adjusted element in the society Furthermore, human nature contains the selfish impulses which pave the way for an individual to think only about his well being and not to worry about the society. If they are enlightened about self-control and its advantages, then they can recognize the correct path which would help them to choose group interests or social well being over personal well being. This will result in simultaneous achievement of personal and social optimal situation (Wiebe, 2004, pp. 68-69). Self Control Theories and its impact on our everyday life: There are four types of self control theories, namely, impulse control, control over the contents of the mind, control over moods and emotions and controlling performance. Impulse control - This theory tells us that if an individual is impulsive or he/she does not think twice before taking an action, it will generally lead to unwanted consequences. It states that a decision taken emotionally can yield adverse results. A man with a target or incentive based job who is constantly pressurized by his superior to meet his sales target might become impulsive and start giving incorrect information to customers and mislead them to buy the products he is selling. It might be possible that at that very moment he may succeed in generating revenue for his company. However the customers will soon realize that they were misled and will inform their relatives and friends about this particular service or product. Slowly this news will spread and in future none of the salesmen in that company would ever be able to sell anything. Thus due to the action of a person the entire organization would suffer. It is also possible that the other organizations of the same industry may be adversely affected by this action as the customers will become alert and very conscious of such activities. On the other hand if the concerned salesman would have managed to control his impulse it might have resulted in temporary struggle but long run benefit for him and the company as well as the industry as well. This would have also benefited the customers and resulted in a socially optimal situation (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990, pp. 64-85). Control over the contents of the mind - This theory is about how to control the contents of one’s mind and think logically before taking any step forward. If the person does not allow any wrong thoughts to harness in his mind, his mind will remain clean and doubtless. This will eventually translate into right decision and restrain him from doing any crime. In terms of the previous example, had the salesman been a bit smarter, he would not have been intimidated by his superior and would have taken proper steps to handle the situation. He would have tried to sell products by providing correct information to the customers. He might have tried to be innovative in describing the products to his customers and tried to convince them regarding what he is selling, over other similar products available in the market. If he did not allow the thoughts of quick success to evolve in his mind, he would not have opted for a short cut to success. In this way he would not have jeopardized his and the other salesmen’s jobs or even put the industry at a stake (Lilly, Cullen & Ball, 2010, pp.109-137). Control over emotions and moods - This theory is quite similar to the impulse control theory. However this theory directly deals with the emotions and moods of individual and how to control them so that their lives are not hampered. It has often been observed that mood fluctuation or emotional outbreak has resulted in social catastrophe. Losses of lives are not uncommon at all under such situation. Maintaining composer and not to allow the emotion and moods to got better of oneself can result in less volume of crime mostly domestic violence. Controlling Performance - This theory deals with controlling the actions of the particular individual. It might happen sometime that a person becomes impulsive and all the contents of his mind get corrupted. Again a sudden emotional outbreak or mood swing might have compelled him to think in a wrong way. But still if he manages to refrain himself from committing the action; crime would be stopped at its very get way and nothing ill will happen to the society or the person concerned. Conclusion One might say that the best way to stop crime is self-control. Until and unless an individual recognizes the impacts of antisocial and unethical activities crime cannot be stopped. But to help them to recognize their mistake; the society has to come forward to educate these people about victimization and crime and how they can adversely impact our livelihood. Creating strict law and punish the criminals can never absolutely stop crime. Theories of self-control if realized and conveyed to the about to be criminals and commoners alike, then crime might be stopped at its very root. From this paper one might conclude the following, a person should always think numerous times before taking a further step forward. He/she should always think logically or if required consult others to guide them and only then think of taking any action. Even if a person’s way of thinking is not correct or logical, that person should take extreme care that it should not materialize into action. Thus one can say that the above mentioned theories are extremely effective in not only understanding the crime but also might be used as the ultimate remedy for the optimization of social welfare in terms of safety of the inhabitants of the society. References Gottfredson, M. R. & Hirschi, T. (1990), General Theory of Crime, Stanford: Stanford University Press. HELTON, W.S. (2009). Exceptional Running Skill in Dogs Requires Extensive Experience. The Journal of General Psychology, 136(3), 323–332 Lilly, R. Cullen, F. & Ball, R. (2010), Criminological theory- Contexts and Consequences, Sage publication Reality check: Is the crime rate higher in developed countries? (2003), Nation Master, retrieved on September 22, 2012, from: http://www.nationmaster.com/article/Reality-check%26%2358%3B-Is-the-crime-rate-higher-in-developed-countries%26%2363%3B Shaw, M., Dijk, J., V. & Rhomberg, W. (2003), DETERMINING TRENDS IN GLOBAL RIME AND JUSTICE: AN OVERVIEW OF RESULTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS SURVEYS OF CRIME TRENDS AND OPERATIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS. Forum on Crime and Society, 3(1,2) Schreck, C., Stewart, E., & Fisher, B. (2006), Self control victimization and theory of their influence on risky lifestyles, Journal of quantitative Criminology, 22(4), 319-340. Wiebe, R. P. (2004), Expanding the Model of Human Nature Underlying Self-control Theory: Implications for the Constructs of Self-control and Opportunity. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 37 (1), 65-84 Wozniak, J., F. (2000), THE VOICES OF PEACEMAKING CRIMINOLOGY: INSIGHTS INTO A PERSPECTIVE WITH AN EYE TOWARD TEACHING. Contemporary Justice Review, 3(3), 267 Read More