Antisocial Cognition as a Potential Cross-Theoretical Mechanism in Major Theories of Crime

A focused review is conducted on 20 studies that have examined the potential role of antisocial cognition in six major criminological theories. Constructs from each theory—certainty of punishment from deterrence theory, peer delinquency from social learning theory, low self-control from self-control theory, angry affect from general strain theory, unsupervised routine activities from routine activities theory, and reflected appraisals from labeling theory—are examined with results showing that antisocial cognition serves as either a mediator, moderator, or direct effect in each. The implications and limitations of the methodological approach employed in this paper are discussed.