Criminal Achievement, Offender Networks and the Benefits of Low Self-Control

• NCJ Number: 207063
• Journal: Criminology Volume: 42 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 773-804
• Author(s): Carlo Morselli; Pierre Tremblay
• Date Published: August 2004
• Length: 32 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This study examined the impact of low self-control and nonredundant networking on the criminal earnings of incarcerated offenders previously engaged in market and predatory crimes.

Abstract

Participants in criminal activities reap a variety of benefits, including monetary attainment, status, and confidence. Through an investigation of patterns in the variation of criminal earnings, the analysis of other forms of criminal achievement may also be stimulated. The current study focused on accounting for the differentials in earnings from crime, and in particular on whether the personality trait of low self-control and the organizational feature of nonredundant networking influence criminal earnings among those involved in market and predatory crimes. Participants were 156 inmates in southern Quebec prisons; surveys elicited information on criminal earnings, criminal networks, crime participation, personality characteristics, and legitimate earnings. Results of bivariate and ordinary least squares analyses indicated that, controlling for background factors, both low self-control and nonredundant networking independently accounted for differences in criminal earnings among market and predatory offenders. Market offenders gained higher criminal earnings from efficient, brokerage-like networking, while predatory offenders reaped higher criminal earnings if they exhibited low self-control. Self-control had no direct effect on market offenders, but did mitigate the relationship between effective networking and criminal earnings for these offenders. The findings have direct implications for Gottfredson and Hirschi’s self-control theory; while low self-control may account for impulsiveness in criminal activities, it may also indicate quick thinking and an application of practiced acumen, evidenced by greater criminal rewards. General theories of crime may be enhanced by continued focus on patterns in criminal benefits. Tables, references