Week 3 - Control Theories (Desistance & Persistence) Flashcards
What is desistance?
“The situated absence of a certain type of event” (Maruna, 2001). Literally means stop committing crime
How does Shover (1985) relate offenders to desistance and ageing?
Shover (1985) proposes that offenders change with age
What is control theory?
Control Theory proposes that there needs to be a focus on restraining or “controlling” factors such as social control, including sanctions
Who researched “Containment Theory”?
Reckless (1967)
What is Containment Theory?
Containment Theory researches the external and internal structures of protection and says that the self-concept is the key factor for crime
What influence does having a positive self-concept have in an individual?
Someone with a positive self-concept is a law-abiding citizen and the inner and outer systems of control help protect individuals from pressure, pulls and pushes that could lead to deviance
Name some internal pushes to deviance and crime
Restlessness, discontent, anxiety and hostility
Name some internal pulls to deviance and crime
Deviant peers, membership in a deviant/criminal gang and pornography
Name some external pressures that could lead to deviance and crime
Adverse living conditions, relative deprivation, poverty, unemployment, insecurity and inequality
Who researched “Techniques of Neutralization”?
Sykes and Matza (1957)
What is “Techniques of Neutralization”?
This rejects the view that delinquents have their own moral code, and instead justify their own crimes as exceptions to the rules of society
What are the two levels of values under the “Techniques of Neutralization”?
Conventional and Subterranean Values
What are the 5 rationalisation techniques under the “Techniques of Neutralisation”?
Denial of responsibility, injury, the victim, condemnation of the condemners and appeal to higher loyalties.
Who proposed the “Bonds of Attachment”?
Hirschi (1969)
What is the “Bonds of Attachment” in relation to crime?
Bonds of Attachment proposes that crime happens because the individuals bond to society has weakened, and that it is social controls that maintain law and order.
What are the four main bonds under the “Bonds of Attachment”?
Attachment, Commitment, Involvement and Belief
Who developed the Self-Control Theory?
Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990)
What is the Self-Control Theory?
It proposes that it is the lack of individual self-control that is the main factor behind criminal behaviour, and that crime is committed because of opportunity
How does Self-Control Theory relate childhood to crime?
It proposes that self-control is developed during childhood and that it is the role of the parent to monitor, recognise and punish deviant behaviour
According to Self-Control theory, how does crime satisfy the offender?
It proposes that crime is used as a short-term impulsive need and supplies immediate gratification to the offender, as they ignore the long-term consequences for their actions
How do people with higher levels of self-control act according to Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990)?
People with higher levels of self-control will be better weigh the consequences of their actions and restrain their actions when presented with criminal opportunity
How do people with low levels of self-control act according to Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990)?
People who lack self-control will be impulsive, physical, risk-taking, short-sighted, and non-verbal and therefore tend to engage in criminal activities
Who developed Theory of Moral Action?
Wikstrom (2004)
What are the fundamental arguments of Social Action Theory?
It argues that acts of crime are moral actions and deliberate choice, and therefore cannot be biologically or psychologically determined
