Social Control Theory Key Points

Question 1

Roots

Answer 1

Philosophy

Question 2

Focus level

Answer 2

Conformity of the individual - MICRO level

Question 3

Approach to crime

Answer 3

Criminality is a result of a breakdown in the socialisation process - bond/ties broken

Question 4

View of human nature

Answer 4

Crime is exciting to humans as it is a source of excitement, rewarding, or the most efficient way to achieve ones goals
Instincts to crime must be constrained by society
Crime is normal due to human nature and must be restricted by society

Question 5

View of the justice system

Answer 5

Exists to protect society, deter criminal behvaiour and reinforce acceptable standards of behaviour

Question 6

Key concepts

Answer 6

Conformity
Attachment
Inner containment/outer containment

Question 7

Key thinkers

Answer 7

Matza and Sykes (1964)
Reiss (1951)
Toby (1957)
Nye (1958)
Reckless (1961)
Hirschi (1969)

Question 8

Contemporary applications

Answer 8

Gottfriedson and Hirschi (1990)

Tittle’s Control-Balance theory (1995)

Question 9

Unpopularity at time?

Answer 9

Context - emerged in 1950s/60s during New Left and counter-culture revolution; due to policy implications of greater control was not popular (unlike symbolic interactionism)

Question 10

Policy implications

Answer 10

Greater control needed