The Multidimensional Structure of Gottfredson and Hirschi's Concept of Self-Control

Gang Lee, University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the unidimensionality of Grasmick’s operationalization of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s criminality inducing the concept of low self-control. By applying confirmatory factor analysis procedures that incorporate advances in the application, the proposed six factor model and two alternative models were examined suggesting that Grasmick’s low self-control scale actually contains 6 distinguishable factors, not a single factor. The factors identified to be consistent with the six factor model were impulsivity, simple tasks, risk seeking, physical activities, self-centered, and temper.