Aggressive behaviour seems to be an extensive and severe problem negatively affecting both the victims and the offenders. Many factors affect aggression. In this study, one factor was examined: self-identity, in relation to societal strain and emotions. The study aims to explore the relations between self-identity (what do we think we are) societal strain and emotions with aggression. A theoretical exploration of the importance of self-identity in relation to aggressiveness and more specifically, explore the significance of additional concepts as a potential marker for the predisposition to aggressiveness. Also, verifying if these concepts are a stronger contributor than obstructor to aggressiveness. Evidence from interdisciplinary literature is used to answer the questions in this degree project. This thesis is based on a set of relevant scientific papers. Two theories, General Strain theory and Self-Control/bond theory, contrasted with the idea of self-identity. Findings - Self-identity influences the performance of an individual in everyday scenarios. Not being able to obtain a goal and improve our social status, can result in a higher probability of looking for illegal options. Further, there is a difference in the way emotions affect aggressive conduct and the way this conduct is expressed between genders. Finally, one's self-identity seems to be a relevant marker for the predisposition to aggressiveness. This thesis provides insights to some of the most important markers for the predisposition to aggressiveness in society.

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While a growing body of literature in the field of criminal justice documents the relationship between victimization and offending, only recently has this knowledge been applied to the study of intimate partner violence (IPV). Accordingly, questions remain with regard to the theoretical origins of mutual violence between intimates. In an effort to fill this void in the literature, the current study examines the etiology of moderate forms of mutual IPV, specifically assessing self-control theory's applicability to the victim-offender overlap in IPV. Data were obtained from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to investigate whether low self-control at Wave I predicts IPV victimization, IPV offending, or both IPV victimization and offending at Wave IV. The present study extends prior literature examining the role of self-control in IPV by (1) investigating the influence of self-control on the victim-offender overlap in IPV, (2) using longitudinal data, and (3) utilizing a sample of U.S. adults ages 24 to 33. While low self-control was found to significantly predict IPV offending and the overlap in IPV victimization and offending, low self-control failed to significantly predict IPV victimization. Policy implications, study limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

The dual motive model posits that self-control is the prioritization of distal motives over proximal motives when the two compete. A logical extension of this view is that any factor that increases the incentive value of a distal motive or decreases the incentive value of a proximal motive will make self-control more likely. Here it is proposed that time perspective, or an individual's tendency to attend to thoughts of the past, present, or future, is one factor that influences the incentive value of competing motives. Three studies were conducted to show that time perspective influences the incentive value of competing motives, and thus influences self-control. Study 1 probes correlations and indirect effects between time perspective, incentive value, and self-control. Study 2 replicates and extends study 1 by examining additional dimensions of the future time perspective. Study 3 shows that manipulating time perspective produces changes in self-control, establishing causality. The results suggest that time perspective influences the incentive value of individuals' motives and thus self-control. The results also add support to the dual motive model of self-control, since only the dual motive model predicted these relationships.

There has been serious concerns about the pace at which juvenile criminality isincreasing globally(National Academies Press, 2001).Young people are increasinglybecoming susceptible to a wide variety of misdemeanors; from substance abuse and addictionto murder (ibid). Studies have empirically described many triggers as the root cause ofjuvenile delinquency (Archer, 2000).Some criminologists have attributed these types ofmisdemeanors to the environments to which these adolescents are/have been subjected to(Wikstrom, 2004). On this basis, this research aims to assess the liability, if any, ofbystanders/observers and enablers/facilitators of juvenile delinquency. The study employed aqualitative approach in evaluating the role of bystanders and enablers in juveniledelinquency. The outcome revealed that the majority of bystanders and enablers are equallyas guilty as the delinquent youth. Three theories were used to rationalize these findings; theanomie-strain theory, situational action theory and self control theory ( Chainey & Ratcliffe,2005). As a result, the study recommends adequate parental guidance, in-person supervision,parental awareness, governmental inclusion, the provision of social infrastructures as well asequal opportunities, among others.

The effectiveness of self-recording and self-reinforcement procedures implemented in the classroom setting with six pre-adolescent children classified as Educable Mentally Retarded was determined relative to changes in on-task behavior. A multiple baseline design was used and each subject was exposed to both a self-recording procedure and a self-reinforcement procedure. After an initial baseline period, three subjects were exposed to self-recording first, and three subjects went through self-reinforcement first. Contingent reinforcement was not provided for accuracy in either self-recording or self-reinforcement patterns. Observations were conducted to investigate generalization effects of each procedure, and two weeks of follow-up observations were conducted to determine durability effects. The findings indicated that for five of the subjects the self-recording procedure and the self-reinforcement procedure were effective in fostering significant positive increases in on-task behavior. Regarding accuracy, without contingent reinforcement, three of the subjects demonstrated at least 70% agreement with observer recordings during self-recording phases, and four subjects demonstrated at least 70% agreement with observer recordings in their self-reinforcement pattern. Generalization effects were found with two of the subjects, and maintenance effects were evident with one subject. A combined treatment approach, presenting both procedures simultaneously, was implemented with three of the subjects after the study was completed. These results indicated that the combined approach was not more effective than the singular presentation approach taken in the main study. Suggestions were made for future refinements in self-control procedures to increase applicability with special population.

The purpose of this dissertation was to test the significance of objective l y measured imagery ability on the learning of self-controled relaxation of autonomic nervous system activity. Imagery is discussed in terms of its interaction with Autogenic vs. Jacobsonian methods of training clinical relaxation. Thirty-six female subjects from a college population, representing extreme highs and lows on "spatial ability" tests were given a series of three six-session sequences of Baseline, Treatment 1, and Treatment 2, which contained silent relaxation as a control, plus Jacobsonian and Autogenic relaxation. High and low spatial ability subjects were divided into split groups (A & B) which were given Jacobsonian and Autogenic relaxation treatment in different sequence orders. Skin temperature biofeedback was used to monitor the little fingers on both hands as a general indicator of autonomic clinical relaxation. Mean temperature; temperature change within sessions; and temperature change between sessions, were analyzed by different treatment periods and spatial ability groups. The data from these groups were analyzed using an ANOVA design. There were no significant differences in mean temperature data. A nearly significant two-way interaction was found between imagery ability and treatment order during Autogenic training. Also a significant interaction was found in skin temperature change between sessions for, "Sensory" vs. "Intuitive" personality types, and a nearly significant difference for Autogenic vs. Jacobsonian treatment. It was concluded that Jacobsonian training was generally more effective than Autogenic training for inducing vascular relaxation in both high and low imagery subjects. Also it was found that Sensory perceptual types are significantly more stable in terms of day to day skin temperature variation during relaxation training, than are Intuitive perceptual types.

abstract: Self-control has been shown to be an important influence behind a variety of risk and protective behaviors, such as substance abuse. Although prior research points to the existence of multiple dimensions of self-control, this concept is not consistently defined and frequently only studied as a conglomerate in clinical research. The current study sought to examine how two experimental manipulations of subcomponents of self-control (motivation and self-efficacy) affect real-world consumptive behavior after accounting for executive function. Additionally, the validity and reliability of a brief state survey measure of perceived self-control capacity, internal motivation, and external motivation was tested. The goal was to examine how basic scientific principles involved in self-control translate into clinically relevant behaviors, which may inform understanding of momentary lapses in self-control behavior, potentially leading to novel prevention and intervention efforts. 94 college students completed a 1-2 hour laboratory protocol during which they completed survey and laboratory-based tasks of self-control and related behaviors, executive function, and ad libitum alcohol consumption. Results showed that the self-efficacy manipulation successfully increased perceived self-control capacity, although this did not lead to a significant reduction in consumption. The motivation manipulation neither increased motivation nor reduced consumption in this sample. However, the brief state survey measure of self-control subcomponents demonstrated strong test-retest reliability and distinction from trait self-control, demonstrating its viability for use in future research. By elucidating the relationships between specific mechanisms of self-control, laboratory-based tasks and manipulations, and real-world consumptive behaviors, prevention and intervention efforts for problems such as alcohol abuse may be tailored to the needs of the individual and made more impactful and cost-effective. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Psychology 2020

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