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Criminology
Table of Contents
Unit 5 Overview: Sociological Theories: Structure & Process
5.1 Strain and Anomie Theories
5.2 Social Disorganization Theory
5.3 Social Learning and Differential Association Theories
5.4 Control Theories

Control theories explain why people don't commit crimes. They focus on social bonds and self-control as key factors. Strong connections to family, school, and society, along with high self-control, make criminal behavior less likely.

These theories highlight the importance of early childhood experiences and parenting. They suggest that crime prevention should focus on strengthening social ties and developing self-control in young people, while also reducing opportunities for criminal acts.

Control Theories

Types of control theories

  • Social bonding theory developed by Travis Hirschi focuses on the strength of an individual's bonds to society
    • Four elements of social bonds: attachment (emotional connections to others like family and friends), commitment (investment in conventional activities such as education and career), involvement (time spent on conventional activities leaving less time for criminal behavior), and belief (acceptance of societal norms and values)
    • Stronger social bonds lead to less likelihood of engaging in criminal behavior (school attendance, stable employment)
  • Self-control theory proposed by Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi emphasizes the role of individual self-control in determining criminal behavior
    • Low self-control is the primary cause of criminal behavior developed during childhood due to ineffective parenting practices (lack of supervision, inconsistent discipline)
    • Individuals with low self-control tend to be impulsive, risk-taking, and short-sighted (substance abuse, reckless driving)
  • General theory of crime integrates elements of social bonding and self-control theories
    • Argues that low self-control, combined with opportunity, leads to criminal behavior
    • Individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal behavior when presented with the opportunity to do so (unattended valuables, easy targets)

Role of social bonds

  • Social bonds refer to the connections and attachments individuals have to conventional society
  • Four elements of social bonds act as protective factors against criminal behavior:
    • Attachment: Emotional connections to significant others, such as family and friends, lead to greater conformity to societal norms (positive parent-child relationships, close friendships)
    • Commitment: Investment in conventional activities, such as education and career, increases the potential costs of engaging in criminal behavior (pursuing higher education, building a successful career)
    • Involvement: More time spent on prosocial activities, such as extracurricular activities and volunteering, leaves less time for criminal behavior (participating in sports teams, community service)
    • Belief: Stronger belief in the legitimacy of societal norms reduces the likelihood of violating them (respecting laws, valuing honesty)
  • Weaker or broken social bonds increase the risk of engaging in criminal behavior (dysfunctional family relationships, lack of educational and employment opportunities)

Self-control and criminal behavior

  • Gottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime integrates elements of social bonding and self-control theories
  • Low self-control is the primary cause of criminal behavior developed during childhood due to ineffective parenting practices (lack of supervision, inconsistent discipline)
  • Opportunity plays a crucial role in the manifestation of criminal behavior
    • Individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal behavior when presented with the opportunity to do so (unsecured property, vulnerable victims)
    • Opportunities for crime can vary across situations and contexts (urban areas, high-crime neighborhoods)
  • The interaction between low self-control and opportunity determines the likelihood of criminal behavior
    • Individuals with low self-control are more likely to take advantage of criminal opportunities when they arise (shoplifting, burglary)

Evidence for control theories

  • Empirical support for social bonding theory:
    • Studies have found that stronger social bonds, particularly attachment and commitment, are associated with lower levels of criminal behavior (higher academic achievement, stable employment)
    • Research has shown that family attachment and school commitment are important protective factors against delinquency (positive parent-child communication, school engagement)
  • Empirical support for self-control theory:
    • Studies have consistently found a significant relationship between low self-control and various forms of criminal and deviant behavior (substance abuse, violent offenses)
    • Longitudinal research has provided evidence for the stability of self-control over time and its influence on criminal behavior in adulthood (childhood self-control predicts adult criminal behavior)
  • Empirical support for the general theory of crime:
    • Research has supported the interactive effect of low self-control and opportunity on criminal behavior (increased crime rates in areas with more criminal opportunities)
    • Studies have found that individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal behavior when opportunities are present (theft in unsupervised settings, assault in high-conflict situations)
  • Implications for crime prevention strategies:
    • Strengthening social bonds through family support programs and school-based interventions can help prevent criminal behavior (parent education, mentoring programs)
    • Early childhood interventions aimed at improving parenting practices and promoting self-control development may be effective in reducing future criminal behavior (parent training, self-regulation skills)
    • Situational crime prevention strategies that focus on reducing opportunities for crime can be effective in preventing criminal behavior among individuals with low self-control (increased surveillance, target hardening)

Key Terms to Review (13)

Integrated Theories: Integrated theories refer to approaches in criminology that combine elements from various theoretical frameworks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of crime and criminal behavior. By merging different perspectives, such as biological, psychological, and sociological theories, these approaches aim to capture the complexity of crime causation and the interactions between various factors that influence individuals and their choices.
Reckless's Containment Research: Reckless's Containment Research refers to a criminological theory proposed by Walter Reckless, emphasizing the role of internal and external controls in preventing individuals from engaging in deviant behavior. This theory suggests that individuals are influenced by their social environment, where strong social bonds and community structures can effectively contain or mitigate impulses that may lead to crime.
Emotional bonds: Emotional bonds are the connections formed between individuals that are based on feelings of affection, attachment, and loyalty. These bonds play a crucial role in influencing behavior, as strong emotional ties can lead to increased social control and conformity to societal norms, making individuals less likely to engage in deviant behavior.
Hirschi's Study on Juvenile Delinquency: Hirschi's study on juvenile delinquency focuses on the social control theory, which suggests that strong social bonds between individuals and society help prevent delinquent behavior among youths. The study emphasizes the importance of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief in societal norms as key elements that foster these bonds, ultimately influencing a youth's decision to engage in or avoid delinquency. Understanding these factors helps explain how the lack of strong social ties can lead to increased delinquency rates among juveniles.
Surveillance: Surveillance refers to the systematic observation of individuals or groups to gather information, often for purposes of control, monitoring, or security. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how social order is maintained and how behavior is regulated within societies, particularly through mechanisms that deter deviance and encourage conformity.
Informal Social Control: Informal social control refers to the mechanisms by which society regulates individual behavior through social norms, values, and expectations rather than formal laws or official sanctions. This type of control is exercised by family, peers, and community members, influencing individuals to conform to societal standards without the need for formal legal repercussions. Informal social control plays a crucial role in maintaining social order and stability by encouraging adherence to cultural norms.
Travis Hirschi: Travis Hirschi is a prominent criminologist known for his contributions to control theories of crime, particularly through his work 'Causes of Delinquency' published in 1969. He posited that strong social bonds with family, school, and community serve as deterrents against delinquency and criminal behavior. Hirschi’s work has significantly influenced the understanding of how socialization affects deviant behavior and the role of external controls in maintaining societal order.
Belief: Belief refers to the acceptance that something is true or exists, often without requiring evidence or proof. In the context of control theories, beliefs play a crucial role in influencing behavior, as they can either strengthen social bonds or weaken them, impacting an individual's propensity towards conforming to societal norms or engaging in deviant behavior.
Involvement: Involvement refers to the degree of participation and engagement an individual has in conventional activities and social structures, which can significantly influence their likelihood of engaging in deviant or criminal behavior. This concept is central to control theories, as it posits that higher levels of involvement in prosocial activities can act as a deterrent against delinquency by fostering stronger social bonds and commitments.
Self-Control Theory: Self-Control Theory posits that individuals with low self-control are more likely to engage in criminal behavior because they tend to prioritize immediate gratification over long-term consequences. This theory suggests that the capacity for self-control is a critical factor in determining an individual's propensity for delinquency and crime, linking it closely to broader control theories which emphasize the importance of social bonds and constraints in regulating behavior.
Life course perspective: The life course perspective is a theoretical framework that examines the ways in which individual lives are shaped by social, historical, and cultural contexts over time. It emphasizes how experiences and transitions across different life stages can influence behavior and outcomes, particularly in relation to criminal activity and victimization.
Michael Gottfredson: Michael Gottfredson is a prominent criminologist known for his contributions to control theories and his work on the nature of criminal behavior. His approach emphasizes the role of self-control as a critical factor influencing an individual's propensity to engage in crime. Gottfredson, along with Travis Hirschi, developed the General Theory of Crime, which posits that low self-control, combined with opportunities for crime, leads to higher likelihoods of criminal behavior.
Socialization: Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors of their culture or society. This process plays a critical role in shaping a person's identity, influencing their actions and interactions throughout their life. In the context of offending behavior, socialization can determine the paths individuals take, whether they become life-course persistent offenders or engage in adolescence-limited offending.