Grasmicks Low Self-Control Scale Essays

Grasmicks Low Self-Control Scale Essays Grasmicks Low Self-Control Scale Essay Grasmicks Low Self-Control Scale Essay According to the University of Oklahoma website, Dr. Grasmick has been publishing articles since 1974 and is still continuing his research on his theories on criminal deviance and its deterrents. The website indicates that â€Å"he is credited with creating the â€Å"Grasmick’s Low Self-Control Scale†, which is used to measure self-control in criminal deviants † Grasmicks scale is being employed in most studies and dissertations under the subject of Criminal Justice. John McMullen wrote a dissertation on the topic which is entitled â€Å"A Test of Self-control Theory Using General Patterns of Deviance. † He employed Grasmicks Low Self-Control Scale in his survey instruments to derive his results for the study. The scale measures six separate aspects of self control. The scale consists of 24 total items, divided evenly into â€Å"simple tasks, impulsivity, physical activities, risk seeking, self- centered, and temper sub-components. Respondents were asked to report whether they â€Å"strongly agree,† â€Å"agree,† â€Å"disagree,† or â€Å"strongly disagree† to each individual item. He described the concept of self- control in reference to Gottfredson and Hirschis General Theory of Crime, by stating that â€Å"Individuals who possess the low self-control trait are more likely to become involved in criminal, deviant, and accidental behaviors than those who possess high levels of self-control † (McMullen, 1999, p. 6). In terms of reliability, McMullen mentions that on the basis of empirical support and extensive testing, the scale was very suitable for use in his sample age group. : He also comments that: â€Å"the most convincing argument for using this scale comes from Piquero and Rosay (1998:170), who concluded that, â€Å"it appears the scale can be an acceptable scale in terms of tapping into the components alluded to by Gottfredson and Hirschi† (McMullen, 1999, p. 35). References McMullen, J. C. (1999). A Test of Self-control Theory Using General Patterns of Deviance. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University .