Patience and Crime

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2021

Abstract

Objectives: We identify the distinction between patience and self-control to improve specification of time preferences in offender decision-making. Methods: Data were drawn from in-depth qualitative interviews with 35 active auto thieves with high criminal propensity and focus on target selection. Results: Patience oscillates upward and downward, showing state instability among those with low trait self-control. Conclusions: Discussion focuses on the conceptual processes that mediate patience’s variation in offender decision-making, but especially among high-propensity offenders. The larger criminological significance of patience is discussed.

Publication Title

Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

Volume

58

Issue

4

First Page

383

Last Page

419

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1177/0022427820974427

ISSN

00224278

E-ISSN

1552731X

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