AC2.1- CONTROL THEORY Flashcards
What do control theories try to explain?
Why people do not commit crimes
What do control theories support the view of?
That people require nurturing in order to develop attachments that help produce internal controls e.g conscience
According to the control theory, crime is a result of what?
Insufficient attachment + commitment to others
What is a name of a control theorist?
Travis Hirschi
What does Hirschi believe?
People conform because they are controlled to their bonds to society- keeps them from deviating
What does Hirschi argue about when delinquent acts occur?
Occur when an individual’s bonds to society are weak/ broken
According to Hirschi, what are the 4 elements of the individuals bonds to society?
Attachment, Commitment, Involvement and Beliefs
Hirschi- Attachment
The more attached we are to others, more we care about opinions, more we will respect their norms and less likely to break them- especially true to attachment to parents + teachers
Hirschi- commitment
How committed we are to conventional goals e.g succeeding in education
The more committed we are to a conventional lifestyle, the more we risk losing by getting involved in crime- more likely to conform to
Hirschi- involvement
More involved we are in conventional, law-abiding activities e.g studying, sports etc. = less time + energy involved in criminal one’s
Youth clubs keep people off streets and involve them with activities
Hirschi- beliefs
If socialised to believe it is right to obey the law, we are less likely to break it
Who developed a different version of control theory known as containment?
Walter Reckless
What does Walter point out with his containment theory?
The importance of parenting and socialising
What does Walter argue about crime?
Can resist committing crime due to inner and outer containment
According to Walter, effective socialisation can provide what?
Inner containment- by building self-control to resist temptation to offend
