The Relevance of the Dual Systems Model for Predicting Offending Among College Students: The Moderating Role of Deviant Peer Influence

• Author: Thomas Wojciechowski
• Published date: 01 September 2022
• Date: 01 September 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/07340168211036934

Article

The Relevance of the Dual

Systems Model for Predicting

Offending Among College

Students: The Moderating Role

of Deviant Peer Influence

Thomas Wojciechowski

1

Abstract

Past research as indicated the relevance of the dual systems model for understanding offending.

However, there is a dearth of research focused on how deviant peer influence may condition the

relationships between dual systems constructs (impulsivity and sensation seeking) and offending. The

present study utilized data from 248 undergraduate students to better understand these relation-

ships. A series of logistic regression models first examined the direct effects of these three con-

structs and then predicted interactions. Deviant peer influence interacted significantly with both dual

systems constructs, indicating that the greatest risk of offending was observed among participants

reporting high levels of all of these constructs. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the impulsivity

interaction may be more relevant. This indicates the importance of screening college students in

psychosocial domains upon entrance into college and providing opportunities for mentorship among

those who may be at high risk of offending.

Keywords

quantitative methods, other, individual theories of crime causation, crime/delinquency theory,

structural theories of crime causation, crime/delinquency theory

The dual systems model has risentoprominenceasanimportantexplanatory framework for

understanding engagement in risky behavior among adolescents (Ellingson et al., 2019; Rhyner

et al., 2018; Steinberg et al., 2008; Steinberg, 2010; Wasserman et al., 2017). This model delineates

sensation seeking and impulsivity as major constructs of interest for understanding why it is that

engagement in numerous risky behaviors peaks in adolescence. Offending is one of these behaviors

which past research has found that the dual systems model may help to explain (Burt et al., 2014;

Forrest et al., 2019). While this existing research has provided a general understanding of the

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

Corresponding Author:

Thomas Wojciechowski, Michigan State University, 655 Auditorium Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Email: wojcie42@msu.edu

Criminal Justice Review

ª2021 Georgia State University

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DOI: 10.1177/07340168211036934

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2022, Vol. 47(3) 318–333

relationships and processes involved, there remain numerous gaps in knowledge in this area.

Another construct that past research has identified as a relevant risk factor for offending is one’s

degree of deviant influence stemming from peers. Research has indicated that greater involvement

with peers who offend is associated with increased risk of one’s own offending (Cutr´ın et al., 2018;

Hinnant et al., 2016; Wojciechowski, 2018). One area where research on duals systems constructs

has remained understudied is the relevance of deviant peer influence for conditioning the relation-

ships between sensation seeking and impulsivity. It may be that the effects of both of these con-

structs on offending are exacerbated at elevated levels of deviant peer influence. The present study

sought to address this gap in the literature by examining the effects of impulsivity and risk-seeking

on offending risk and the relevance of deviant peer influence for moderating these relationships

among a sample of undergraduate students.

The Dual Systems Model of Adolescent Risk-Taking

The dual systems model has demonstrated a great deal of relevance for the field of criminology in

recent years. In the past, the major model for explaining offending in this area of the discipline was

self-control theory (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990). This framework made several important assump-

tions about risk-taking behavior. First, it was assumed that offending could be explained by the

unidimensional construct of self-control. Second, it was assumed that self-control was generally

established early in life and demonstrated little to no development following childhood. While a

great deal of research provided support for self-control theory (Pratt & Cullen, 2000; Rocque &

Piquero, 2019; Vazsonyi et al., 2017), the dual systems model challenges both of these assumptions

and has also found support since its inception. Essentially, the dual systems model delineates this

concept of self-control into the two dimensions of sensation seeking and impulsivity. Sensation

seeking refers to the degree to which an individual desires and seeks out novel and thrilling

experiences. Impulsivity refers to the degree to which an individual is able to control engagement

in behaviors despite knowing the potential risk involved. If someone has a low degree of impulse

control, they will simply disregard consequences of actions or will engage in said actions without

thinking. Past research has indicated that both constructs demonstrate the relevance for predicting

offending independently (Burt et al., 2014; Forrest et al., 2019), providing criterion validity for

delineation of self-control into a bidimensional construct. In the highlighted ways, the dual systems

model presents an extension beyond the assumptions of self-control theory. While this was not the

explicit intent of the framework, the dual systems model is gaining traction in the field of crimin-

ology as an updated understanding of how self-control impacts offending risk. Evidence presented

by the theory favors the developmental approach to understanding these concepts compared to the

assumptions of self-control theory regarding stability in self-control. Further, while self-control

theory posits self-control as being mostly consistent with the concept of impulse control, the addition

of sensation seeking provides additional nuance for understanding engagement in risky behavior.

The dual systems model also challenges the assumption that these constructs remain invariant

across time following childhood. Rather, both constructs demonstrate differential development

through adolescence and adulthood. This is because different areas of the brain govern each con-

struct, and these brain regions develop at different rates and times. The socioemotional network is

comprised of the dopaminergic system. This system develops rapidly relatively early in adolescence,

and youth experience a high flow of dopamine when engaging in thrilling and fun experiences

(Walsh, 2009). This results in a rewarding feeling that reinforces the behavior, resulting in an

increased likelihood of repeat engagement. This is clearly related to sensation seeking, as these

individuals develop the desire to seek out these thrilling experiences. Research has indicated that

typical development peaks in mid-to-late adolescence and plateaus thereafter (Steinberg, 2010;

Steinberg et al., 2008). In contrast, the prefrontal cortex governs the cognitive control network.

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