Description
Since Gottfredson and Hirschi proposed the general theory of crime, the direct link between self-control and delinquency has gained strong empirical support, and low self-control is now considered as a significant predictor of individual delinquent behaviors. However, the indirect link between self-control and delinquency still remains understudied. This study fills this void by introducing thoughtfully reflective decision making (TRDM), an important factor intimated by rational choice theory, as the mediator of the relationship between low self-control and delinquency. Using self-reported data from the city of Changzhi, China, this study finds that self-control is closely related to TRDM, low self-control is a significant predictor of general and non-violent delinquency, and TRDM does not mediate the effect of low self-control on delinquency. Findings from this study largely support the generalizability of self-control theory under the Chinese cultural environment, and also suggest that it might be fruitful to test other criminological theories in the Chinese context. The study's findings and their implications for theory and research are discussed.
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Title
- Thoughtfully reflective decision making as a mediator [electronic resource]: examining the indirect effect of self-control on delinquency
Contributors
- Zhang, Wenrui (Author)
- Wang, Xia (Thesis advisor)
- Decker, Scott (Committee member)
- Sweeten, Gary (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2014
Subjects
Resource Type
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Note
- thesisPartial requirement for: M.S., Arizona State University, 2014
- bibliographyIncludes bibliographical references (p. 28-33)
- Field of study: Criminology and criminal justice
Citation and reuse
Statement of Responsibility
by Wenrui Zhang