Self-Control and Crime Over the Life Course

Self-Control and Crime Over the Life Course introduces readers to the idea of self-control and its importance for understanding criminal behaviour. Using intuitive examples, the authors draw attention to the close connection between self-control and the behavioural choices people make, especially in reference to criminal, deviant, and harmful behaviours that often carry short-term benefits but long-term costs. To achieve this, the authors employ two main perspectives throughout the book (1) studying self-control as an interdisciplinary construct informed by different but compatible perspectives; (2) studying self-control as a concept with immense practical, public policy value.

The book provides a contemporary, interdisciplinary view on the state of the theory and focuses on self-control to achieve three purposes.

• to describe the scientific evidence on the effects of low self-control on criminal, deviant, and harmful behaviours.
• to provide an integrative, interdisciplinary framework for understanding the meaning, causes, and consequences of low self-control.
• to emphasize the practical, public policy value of this self-control research. Theoretical efforts in criminology and the social sciences too often neglect pressing matters of public policy, and theory may even at times seem little more than "fanciful ideas" disconnected from real-world events

The book includes charts, graphs, and boxed inserts to illustrate the arguments and connect them to case studies and current events that show the behavioural and policy relevance of self-control theory and research.

“"The writing is very good. The authors include a well-known senior and surging junior colleague whose reputations will add credibility to the authoritative quality of the book."”

"Low self-control has emerged as one of the leading causes of crime and deviance, some would argue the leading cause.  This book provides an excellent overview of the large body of research on self-control, both within and outside of criminology.  It covers a range of topics, including the varied causes and consequences of low self-control, self-control over the life course, and the policy implications of the self-control research.  It is well written and engaging, suitable for both students and professionals.  I highly recommend it as the best single source on this key concept in criminology." -- Robert Agnew
"Hay and Meldrum provide a masterful and timely synthesis of the disparate literatures on self-control, one of the most important concepts in the study of antisocial behavior and deviance. Their clear, cogent, and objective assessment will not only inform ongoing research, but will also provide direction to the next generation of criminologists." -- Michael D. Reisig
"There is little debate that the relationship between self-control and crime over the life-course has been among the most central of all criminological issues over the past quarter-century and the theoretical, empirical, and policy-related contributions have skyrocketed thereby keeping tabs on new findings has been difficult, that is, until now. Hay and Meldrum, two of the field’s most foremost thinkers on self-control have brought together this literature in a careful and easy going way. With chapter introductions that situate the material in real-world examples, they draw readers in and keep them there. A wonderful overview of the state of the science with many nuggets for future research outlined." -- Alex R. Piquero, PhD

"I like the writing style of the text.  It is written at a level that complements the ability of my students.  It is also a fun read and has examples that are real attention-getters."

-- J. Mitchell Miller
"Hay and Meldrum have put together an impressive book that covers the sweeping literature on self-control and its impact on human behavior.  This is an indispensable resource for students and scholars interested in understanding one of criminology’s most consistent predictors of criminal behavior." -- J.C. Barnes, Ph.D.

"A contemporary synopsis of one of the major criminological theories."

-- Jennifer Wareham, Ph.D.

-- Nadine M. Connell, Ph.D.

"Addresses the intersection of child development, brain development, neighborhoods and self-control and crime as well as policy issues."

-- Rebecca S. Katz, Ph.D.

Carter Hay is a professor and the director of graduate studies in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1999. His articles, chapters, and books have focused on the causes and consequences of crime and deviance over the life course, with a special focus on self-control and its early in life precursors.Dr. Ryan C. Meldrum is an Associate Professor and the Director of Research and Communications in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida International University. He received his B.S. in Sociology from Oregon State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Criminology from Florida State University. His research foci encompass various aspects of juvenile delinquency and young adult offending, with his current work concentrated in three areas: the causes and consequences of low self-control, the health consequences of a lack of sleep among teenagers, and racial and ethnic disparities in school discipline and juvenile justice sanctioning among youth. His research has been published in outlets including Criminology, Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Justice Quarterly, Journal of Criminal Justice, Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Criminal Justice and Behavior, Crime & Delinquency,  Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Sleep Health, Intelligence, and Preventive Medicine. He also co-authored the book Self-Control and Crime over the Life Course. For his research contributions as a junior scholar, he was awarded the 2016 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) New Scholar Award. 

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