Sanctions, short‐term mindsets, and delinquency: Reverse causality in a sample of high school youth

摘要: Purpose We question the commonly assumed view of a fixed causal ordering between self‐control, delinquency, and sanctions test hypothesis that experiencing may reduce levels thereby increasing risk future delinquent behaviour. As subsidiary goal, we argue for parsimonious self‐control is limited to its key components, risk‐taking, impulsivity. Methods We use three waves data from Zurich Project on Social Development Childhood into Adulthood (z‐proso), an ongoing prospective longitudinal study Swiss urban youth (N = 1,197), include police contacts school as predictors delinquency. We our using path analysis control series potential confounders, including prior earlier delinquency. Results In line with hypothesis, results indicate sanctioning reduces net delinquency mediates relation subsequent delinquency. Conclusions We conclude crime be bi‐ rather than unidirectional reducing which in turn contributes criminal Implications theory are discussed.