Beyond Self-Control: Analysis and Critique of Gottfredson & Hirschi's General Theory of Crime (1990)

Self-control theory, introduced by Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi, emerged as a significant explanation for crime and deviance in the 20th century, yet it had little impact on public policy. The theory's perceived objectivity and alignment with the status quo of the criminal justice system contributed to its popularity, prompting extensive empirical research. However, critiques of the theory have been relatively sparse, raising questions about its validity and application in understanding criminal behavior.