Social Control Theory

By: Robert Platos

Definition

• The Social Control theory explains how social factors such as religion, economics, family and education relate to the choices and actions of an individual.

Travis Hirschi

• Author of the Social Bond Theory• Hirschi was born in 1935 and graduated from

University of Arizona• His theories integrated different theories and

attempted to disprove the consistencies of other theories.

• His theories show little interest in race, gender, and class.

Hirschi’s Perspective

Benefits• People feel something they

like.• People are motivated to

acquire wants.• People assert a desired level

of control.• People have an attraction to

illegal temptations

Consequences• People feel or would feel

something they don’t like.• The cost of acquiring the

want is severe• Social control strength

affects criminal activity.• Social Bonds control the

attraction to illegal temptations and ensure conformity. (Hancock,2004)

Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory of Deliquency

• Attachments

• Commitment

• Involvement

• Belief

Attachments(Hirschi’s Social Bond)

• The relationships established with others, especially parents. Attachments are formed through the use of intimate communication.

• Parents can develop a method of indirect control. Which means, youngsters refrain from deviant behavior because the parents relationship is psychologically present. They do want to disappoint.

Attachments

• “Social attachments can also be fruitfully thought of as investments. The development and cultivation of enduring attachments to family, friends, and co-workers requires personal sacrifice -- committing one's time and energy and, frequently, financial resources to meeting the needs of others rather than oneself. Attachments also yield a return, albeit intangible -- the long-term good esteem, companionship, and love of others (Nagin 1994,581)”.

Commitment

• The higher educational and occupational aspirations an individual holds, the higher the cost for turning to crime. Conforming to social standards becomes a higher priority in achieving specific set goals. (Lily,2011)

• It is only rational for a person to be concerned with his or her own self-interest

Involvement

• People are less likely to be involved in criminal activity when involved in activities such as sports, school activities, homework, and thier recreational pursuits.

• The less time available for leisure equals less time to get in trouble.

• Devoting energy to productive task reduces the chances to offend.

Belief

• People with a strong moral belief in the law are less likely to engage in criminal activity.

• Beliefs are based on a constant social reinforcement.

• A fundamental understanding of right and wrong is crucial to reducing criminal activity.

• Core Values

Juvenile Delinquency and Social Control

Social Control• Under the Social Control

Theory, delinquency increases when the social bond between child and society is broken.

• The relationship between the social environment and attitudes contribute to adolescent delinquent behavior.

• Weakened social bonds are precursors to juvenile delinquency (Menasco,2005 ).

Juveniles• Crime rates are higher in

juveniles and decline with age (Hopson,2002 ).

• There are at least 3 million juveniles under 18 arrested yearly of arrests (Menasco,2005 ).

• “A 70% increase of juveniles transferred to adult court between the late 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s (Menasco, 2005 para3 ).”

Benefits in Applying the Social Control Theory to Juveniles

• Juveniles are impressionable and can be influenced by positive social bonds.

• Juveniles are not as set in their ways as adults. Overcoming bad habits is easier.

• Juveniles have several life decisions to make which affect them for years to come.

• Juveniles also undergo many physical changes which adjust hormone levels .

Conclusion• Juveniles need to be provided with the

appropriate social bonds. Future crime rates can only be affected if the Criminal Justice System begins to apply the principles of the Social Control Theory. Give the youth of America set expectations, guidance, support, and the solution begins.

Work Cited

. • Hopson, R. K., & Obidah, J. E. (2002). When getting tough means getting tougher: Historical and conceptual understandings

of juveniles of color sentenced as adults in the united states. The Journal of Negro Education, 71(3), 158-174. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/222122598?accountid=27966

• Nagin, D. S., & Paternoster, R. (1994). Personal capital and social control: The deterrence implications of a theory of individual differences in criminal offending. Criminology, 32(4), 581-581. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220697081?accountid=27966

• Lilly, J. R., Cullen, F. T. & Ball, R. A. (2011). Criminological theory: Context and consequences (5th Ed.). Washington D.C: Sage Publications.

• Menasco, M. A. (2005). A reconsideration of social control theory: Understanding the interwoven nature of the social bond, academic performance and juvenile delinquency. State University of New York at Buffalo). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 232-232 p. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/305382943?accountid=27966. (305382943).