scholarly journals Dynamics of the Causes Of Crime: a Life-Course Application of Situational Action Theory for the Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georg Kessler ◽  
Jost Reinecke
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Action Theory ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Crime Rates ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Differential Analysis ◽  
Ecological Selection ◽  
Conditioning Effect ◽  
Situational Action Theory

Abstract Purpose According to the Developmental Ecological Action Model (DEA) of the situational action theory (SAT), changes in crime rates over the life-course are explained through personal (moral) maturation and socio-ecological selection. This assumption is empirically tested by comparing results for the conditioning effect of the principle of moral correspondence (as an essential part of SAT’s perception-choice process) on crime rates for the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Methods Comparing two waves of a German longitudinal study (CrimoC, 17 and 26 years old, n = 1738), a series of logistic and multinomial logistic regressions and ensuing estimated transition probabilities capture the cross-sectional but also developmental processes involved. Additionally, the CrimoC study offers a differential analysis of offending scales, separating offenses into youth and adult crimes. Results The principle’s conditioning effect on crime could be replicated at both times. We can observe a general trend of individual transitions, which correspond to predicted personal maturation and socio-ecological selection. The transitions correlate with the expected reduction in crime rates over time. Males and females show comparable results. The separation into different offending scales yielded tentative insights. Conclusion We found stability in the mechanisms leading to crime as proffered by SAT and DEA across time. Personal (moral) maturation and socio-ecological selection are likely to be the driving forces behind reducing crime in adulthood. Future research needs to explain in detail how life-course events influence these factors. Considering adult crimes in the analysis is a promising endeavor that warrants further investigation.

Situational Action Theory and School Bullying: Rethinking the Moral Filter

2020 ◽  
pp. 001112872097431
Author(s):  
Weidi Liu ◽  
Geping Qiu ◽  
Sheldon Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Action Theory ◽  
School Bullying ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Moral Exclusion ◽  
Conditional Effects ◽  
Personal Morality ◽  
Situational Action Theory ◽  
Different Levels

Utilizing a sample from Chinese schools, we test the key ingredients of Situational Action Theory within the context of school bullying in a non-Western culture. The results show that morality has a robust effect on bullying behaviors, whereas control mechanisms (i.e., self-control and deterrence) have little restraining effect when personal morality is low. Our findings, together with prior mixed findings regarding conditional effects of control mechanisms, suggest that the moral filter may work differently for behaviors associated with different levels of stigmatization. We speculate that, for less stigmatized behaviors, “habitualization” easily materialize but “moral exclusion” does not, and thus controls exert stronger impact when morality is higher. Implications for the theory and directions for future research are discussed.

The compensatory effects of inner and outer controls

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 689-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Hirtenlehner ◽  
Gorazd Meško
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Action Theory ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Situational Action Theory ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Theoretical Developments

Internal and external controls have been firmly established as factors restraining criminal activity, but surprisingly little is known about their concrete interplay. Inspired by recent theoretical developments, such as Situational Action Theory or the life-course model of interdependence, this work addresses the question whether the crime-reducing impact of outer controls is conditioned by the level of inner controls. Analyses of a student survey from Slovenia reveal that external regulatory mechanisms exercise a greater effect when internal restraints decrease in size. This finding points to a compensatory relationship between controls located in different domains. Inner and outer controls may substitute for one another to a certain extent.

The Crisis of Social Institutions and Police Homicides: The Adverse Effects of Low Institutional Control

2021 ◽  
pp. 108876792110184
Author(s):  
Kamali’ilani T. E. Wetherell ◽  
Terance D. Miethe
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Social Institutions ◽  
Crime Rates ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Homicide Rates ◽  
Institutional Control ◽  
Different Levels

Using U.S. census data and a multi-source database on officer-involved killings, the current study extends previous research by exploring the influence of measures of weak social control in economic, educational, and familial institutions on state rates of police homicide. States with lower levels of institutional control are found to have higher overall rates of police homicides and police killings involving Black, Hispanic, and White decedents. The significant effects of institutional control on these police homicide rates are generally found to exhibit contextual invariance across different levels of various control variables (e.g., comparisons of states with low or high violent crime rates, low vs high economic inequality, low vs high levels of urbanization). These results and the limitations of this study are discussed in terms of implications for future research and public policy on police homicides and the role of social institutions in minimizing the occurrence of these incidents.

scholarly journals Assessment and Governance of Sustainable Soil Management

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Helming ◽  
Katrin Daedlow ◽  
Bernd Hansjürgens ◽  
Thomas Koellner
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Arable Soils ◽  
Sustainable Soil Management ◽  
Production Conditions

The globally increasing demand for food, fiber, and bio-based products interferes with the ability of arable soils to perform their multiple functions and support sustainable development. Sustainable soil management under high production conditions means that soil functions contribute to ecosystem services and biodiversity, natural and economic resources are utilized efficiently, farming remains profitable, and production conditions adhere to ethical and health standards. Research in support of sustainable soil management requires an interdisciplinary approach to three interconnected challenges: (i) understanding the impacts of soil management on soil processes and soil functions; (ii) assessing the sustainability impacts of soil management, taking into account the heterogeneity of geophysical and socioeconomic conditions; and (iii) having a systemic understanding of the driving forces and constraints of farmers’ decision-making on soil management and how governance instruments may, interacting with other driving forces, steer sustainable soil management. The intention of this special issue is to take stock of an emerging interdisciplinary research field addressing the three challenges of sustainable soil management in various geographic settings. In this editorial, we summarize the contributions to the special issue and place them in the context of the state of the art. We conclude with an outline of future research needs.

scholarly journals A quantitative study of Prince Albert’s crime/risk reduction approach to community safety

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Murray J. Sawatsky ◽  
Rick Ruddell ◽  
Nicholas A. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Crime Prevention ◽  
Community Mobilization ◽  
Crime Rates ◽  
Community Safety ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Costs Of Crime ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Crime Risk

Faced with escalating crime rates and increasing demands for services, the Prince Albert Police Service led a mobilization effort to implement a crime/risk reduction strategy called Community Mobilization Prince Albert (CMPA). This study examines the evolution of crime prevention practices from traditional police-based practices that rely on focused enforcement practices, to the emerging risk reduction model, wherein police-led partnerships with community agencies are developing responses to the unmet needs of individuals and families facing acutely elevated risk (AER). These community mobilization strategies have resonated with justice system stakeholders throughout Canada, diffusing throughout the nation in a relatively short period of time. This study examines the outcomes of these crime prevention efforts and their results on reducing crime and social disorder and the associated costs of crime to society, after implementation of CMPA in 2011. In order to evaluate the crime reduction efficacy of this approach, crime rates and the costs of crime were examined prior to the adoption of the mobilization efforts and afterwards. We find a statistically significant decrease in the rates of violent and property crimes after the introduction of the community mobilization approach, and the costs to society of these offences also decreased. Given those findings, a number of implications for policy, practice, and future research are identified.

The Social Context and Resources of the Unmarried in Old Age

1986 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat M. Keith
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Social Resources ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Role Transitions ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Life Course

A model of singleness in later life was developed to show how the social context may influence the personal and social resources of older, unmarried persons. The unmarried (especially the divorced) will be an increasing proportion of the aged population in the future, and they will require more services than will the married. Role transitions of the unmarried over the life course, finances, health, and social relationships of older singles are discussed with implications for practice and future research.

The Impact of Diversity on Career Transitions over the Life Course

2015 ◽  
pp. 151-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenell L. S. Wittmer ◽  
Cort W. Rudolph
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Career Transitions ◽  
Career Trajectories ◽  
Dynamic Perspective ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Early Developmental ◽  
Potential Mobility

There are many aspects of diversity that impact career transitions over the life course. Whereas traditional conceptualizations of career stages emphasize a clear career path for the majority of people, modern career transitions are better characterized by both the multitude and variety of potential mobility paths. Modern career trajectories have also been linked to early developmental activities, which are similarly related to increases in diversity and other societal changes. This chapter discusses the impact of different forms of diversity on career transitions from both psychological/developmental and sociological life course perspectives, as well from a dynamic perspective where one's career transitions are dictated by lesser-planned socio-contextual and personal circumstances. The authors conclude this discussion by outlining some trends that are likely to influence career development in the future, including suggestions for future research.

Predictors of Alcohol Use Disorders Among Baby Boomers Across the Life Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 880-888
Author(s):  
Adam Quinn ◽  
Orion Mowbray
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Baby Boomers ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorders ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Over Time

Research suggests that baby boomers entering older adulthood may possess unique alcohol use patterns over time. Using the life course perspective as a guiding framework, this empirical study sought to examine correlates of alcohol use disorders among baby boomers by examining representative data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health at two points in time, 1998 ( N = 6,213) and 2010 ( N = 5,880). Results from logistic regression analyses suggest that predictors of alcohol use disorders evolve over time as baby boomers continue to age. Risk factors for alcohol use disorders among baby boomers may include concurrent unprescribed pain reliever use, p < .01, while protective factors such as income, p < .01, and social supports, p = .01, may be of increased importance. Based on the findings of this study, practice implications and future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Contingent Factors and Sustainable Performance Measurement (SPM) Practices of Malaysian Electronics and Electrical Companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1058
Author(s):  
Tze Ong ◽  
Boon Teh ◽  
Ah Lee
Keyword(s):  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Performance Measurements ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Electronics And Electrical

In the present world, there is a rapidly growing level of awareness of social and environmental activities. Consequently, a company’s profile is not substantiated purely in relation to financial issues, rather, a need for the inclusion of environmental and social perspectives arises. This is known as sustainable performance. Hence, there is a persistent need for the practice of sustainable performance measurements (SPMs). However, despite the implementation of sustainable performance in developed climes like Europe, the US and the UK, the relevance of sustainable performance is still at a low in developing societies such as Malaysia. The main purpose of this paper is to determine the critical success factors that are attributable to sustainable performance measurement practices for Malaysian electronics and electrical (E and E) companies, as their success is subject to intense scrutiny from their developed competitors, with respect to compliance with social and environmental regulations. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted on 217 E and E companies. The path analysis and test of the hypotheses were carried out through structural equation modelling. This study has successfully unveiled a comprehensive SPM model with unprecedented scope, stretching from factors to indicators of a SPM model for Malaysian E and E companies. The findings indicate that pressure from stakeholders and globalization are the driving forces for E and E companies to be more proactive in sustainable practices. In this context, stakeholders, especially policy makers, should play the leading political and social roles in encouraging the adoption of SPMs in developing nations. It must be noted that E and E companies are likely to transform their learning culture and technology in terms of working towards sustainable practices once they have realized the financial benefits of adopting SPMs. With these benefits, a compounding effect due to SPMs will be created among E and E companies, where excellent performance can be achieved continuously. A major limitation of this study is the adoption of the contingency theory, which is yet to have a wide application in this area of study. Meanwhile, future research can be longitudinal in nature in addition to focusing on non-profit organizations.

scholarly journals Bisexual Lives and Aging in Context: A Cross-National Comparison of the United Kingdom and the United States

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Jen ◽  
Rebecca L. Jones
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Racial Relations ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
The United Kingdom

Research on bisexual histories and identities in later life is limited and reflects only single-nation studies. This article compares findings from two independently conducted studies of bisexual aging, in the United Kingdom and the United States, using a discourse analytic and life course perspective. The goals were to compare how participants narrated and made sense of their bisexual experiences in later life and to examine ways in which historical and cultural contexts shaped their accounts. Findings indicate that similar histories around lesbian separatism and the HIV/AIDS epidemic enabled shared discursive resources, while differing ethnic and racial relations enabled distinctive discursive possibilities. In both studies intersectional experiences, particularly including being a person of color and having a transgender history, profoundly affected individual narratives. Future research will benefit from creative conceptualizations of bisexuality, applying the life course perspective in research and practice, and supporting the diverse and resilient ways bisexual older adults use language.

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