Short-term thinking, criminal action 

People who have short-term mindsets (i.e., impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and low future orientation) are more likely to commit crime. In our research, we consider how adverse environments and experiences affect short-term mindsets. A research team at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law found that harsh and unpredictable environments, victimization, and first-time and early police contact are each associated with more short-term thinking. This can help explain the link between short-term mindsets and later crime in adolescents. Text: Jessica Deitzer, Sebastian L. Kübel, Jean-Louis van Gelder / Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law People with a short-term mindset who prioritize the present at the expense of considering the future while making decisions tend to have worse life outcomes. A focus on the short-term can make criminal behavior more appealing, as the latter is often accompanied by immediate rewards like money, property, social status, or thrill, despite the potential for long-term costs.