14: Social Control Theory Flashcards
Social Control Theory
The theory proposed that people refrain form committing criminal acts because they do not want to jeopardize their bonds to conventional society.
Social disorganization theories (Durkheim, Trasher, Shaw, and McKay)
Deviance will be highest in disorganized communities that lack social control.
Early social control theories (Reiss, Nye)
Stress the importance of personal controls, particularly those provided by the family.
Social bond theory (Hirschi, The four elements:)
- attachment
- commitment
- involvement
- belief
General theory of crime (Gottfredson, Hirschi)
Individuals with low self-control have a rater propensity to commit sims when they have the opportunity to do so.
Control-differential association theory (Linden)
Lack of ties to the conventional order will increase the likelihood of association with deviant peers. These ties will in turn increase the probability of delinquent involvement.
Social bonds (Hirschi)
The degree to which an individual has ties to his or her society. In Hirschi’s theory, social bonds include attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.
Ecological fallacy
An error made when information is gathered at a group level (the unemployment rate of a neighbourhood) and conclusions are drawn about individuals (unemployed persons). Areas with high unemployment may have high crime rates, but this does not tell us that those crimes are necessarily committed by unemployed persons.
Commitment (Hirschi Social Bond theory)
The degree to which an individual pursues conventional goals
Involvement (Hirschi Social Bond theory)
The degree to which an individual is active in conventional activities (Hirschi)
Belief (Hirschi Social Bond theory)
The degree to which an individual believes in conventional values, morality and the legitimacy of the law (Hirschi)
