Gottfredson and Hirschi's self-control theory is often referred to as the "general theory of crime." This bold claim suggests that this theory can predict the increase in crime around the world. This study will address many of the questions that have been questioned regarding the validity of the “general theory of crime” through the use of numerous criminal justice journals, texts, and studies. This article will analyze how self-control theory came to be as well as the accuracy of its ability to predict crime on a national and global scale. Gottfredson and Hirschi's Self-Control Theory In 1990, Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi presented a theory that was used to explain all types of crime and delinquency. The main concept of the theory was low self-control. Self-control theory attempts not only to explain why individuals engage in criminal acts, but rather why they choose to conform to conventional norms. It is not a theory of the causes of crime, but rather a theory of prosocial behavior so often used by sociologists and criminologists to better explain deviance and crime (Bernard, Snipes, & Gerould, 2010 ). Before delving deeper into self-control In the origins of the theory, Hirschi had already made great strides in the study of delinquent behavior long before teaming up with Gottfredson. In 1969, delinquency control theory was a more sociological theory, unlike the theories of Hirschi's contemporaries, which were much more psychological in nature (Lilly et al., 1995). Hirschi presented four social bonds that promote socialization and conformity. He claimed that these ties “explain how weak social ties can allow an individual to leverage the benefits of crime” (Welch, 1998). The first...... middle of paper ...... have great self-control and a great self-image; It made perfect sense to me as to how a child could become delinquent. Without these important social connections to society and to the people we first build relationships with (parents), it is understandable that a person might choose to find structure in a peer group of people with the same weak self-control and the same low self-control. picture. With empirical studies supporting self-control theory as an accurate means of predicting crime at national and international levels, self-control theory has proven to be an excellent tool and worthy of the title of "general theory of crime”. ". Although there is little research to further the theory by proving its validity across crime contexts, from a sociological perspective, Gottfredson and Hirschi's self-control theory is an excellent theory to help to explain criminal behavior..