Informal On Informal Social Control

This theory suggests that our connection to members of society leads us to systematically conform to society’s norms. In other words, our family members, friends, and peers attempt to lead us to follow the mores and folkways or our own society. Rather than focussing on deviant control, the control theory focusses on why deviance is not done more often. Driving forces that lead us to behave well when maintaining social bonds are attachment, commitment, involvement and beliefs. Reputations are created within communities which create a reason for people to compel to the social norm of society, and follow rules or laws created. When people become involved in their community, doing harm to it as a deviant could be doing harm to them as

The social control theory suggests that “people engage in criminal activity when their bond to society has weakened” (Ortiz, 2011). This theory

There are several criminological theories in play based on a variety of perspectives as to the causes of criminal behavior. For this assignment, I have chosen to address the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and how it coincides with Travis Hirschi’s Social Control Theory. Based on the elements in Hirschi’s Social Control Theory I will discuss how the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is beneficial in deterring the youths of today from participating in deviant behavior and becoming the criminals of tomorrow. To better the comprehension of their coexistence, I will first discuss the elements of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and the Social Control Theory individually and then combine their individual elements to explain how they can effectively work together to deter crime.

Social control is when a person unites to society that prevents them from violating rules therefore; if the bond weakens, they are free to commit delinquent acts. Travis Hirschi, a sociologist, argued that the social bond a person maintains with society contains the commitment to the pursuit of conventional activities, such as

To begin with, criminal justice is a system that is designed to maintain social control, which means it is a necessary aspect of every society since “Laws are the conditions under which independent and isolated men united to form a society” (Beccaria, 1764: 16). In order words, crime control deals with the methods that are taken by a society to reduce its crime. As a matter of fact, there are various crime control strategies from community policing to risk assessments. In addition to the different tactics for controlling crime, there are several theories that not only attempt to explain the causes of crime, but also outline different ways to handle offenders; for example, deterrence, rehabilitation, and even retribution.

Social control theory is used to help one understand and reduce levels of criminal activity. It is based upon the idea that an individual’s basic belief system, morals, values, commitments and relationships foster a lawful environment. Most individuals who possess these values and beliefs tend to have a level of self-control over their actions and are consequently prepared to remain on the correct side of the law. Furthermore, social control theory is used to examine how society can influence criminal behaviour. It also emphasizes the idea that when an individual is involved and in-touch with their community, they are less likely to commit acts of delinquency.

According to this theory, people follow social norms because of their attachment to others. People care about others’ perceptions of them, so they are likely to conform to social expectations (Andersen et al., 2016). In the library, people conform to the social rule of keeping quiet because they know that others are expecting them to be. The developer of social control theory, Travis Hirschi, would probably view people’s behavior in the library as a result of their attachment to social norms. Even if people usually would say hello to each other in different settings, the expectations of people in the library stop them from participating in deviant behavior. If Hirschi were to see me performing my norm violation, he would most likely view my deviant behavior as a result of my weakened attachment to social

Social learning theory argues that crime and the manifestation of deviant behaviors are socially learned behaviors (Schram, & Tibbetts, 2018). The key factor in the

Crime is the product of the social structure; it is embedded in the very fibres of society. In this essay, I aim to explore different theories as to why crime exists within society and how we as a society therefore construct it. Crime is a social construct; it is always in society and is on the increase. It is inevitable. Where does it come from? It comes from legislation, from the making of laws.

In recent years the Criminal Justice System has argued to reduce the prison population by incorporating punishment in the community through use of anti-social behaviour legislation (Gibbs, 2009). Behaviour once not suitable for criminalisation has been dubbed anti-social that may cause ‘harassment, alarm or distress’ (Home Office, 2003) which requires a form of punitive focus to prohibit risk to society, however the definition is largely contested as being ambiguous (Doolin & Child, 2011). Since the introduction of Labour in 1997, collated evidence by people of a community has been a main priority in determining the punishment of delinquent others to control

The Culture of Control, Crime and Social Order in Contemporary Society, David Garland (2001) is certainly one worth the read. Garland, one of the leading criminologists, begins the book with a fantastic insight on ‘history of the present’ of penological developments in the US, compares it with Britain in late 1970’s. He picks out indicative theories by Foucault and several examples to support his arguments. He portrays an intricate argument about the rise of crime control and punitiveness. Garland continues throughout to link new developments in both countries to identify each countries crime control stratergy and the effect of their strategies. He ends it with further theories and opinions on crime control and social order. Garlands purpose of writing the book is to give a deep analysis and an absorbing read of crime control in USA and UK to his readers. The purpose of the following review is to give the readers a brief understanding of some issues by Garland on crime and social order in contemporary society.

The crime control model is the “perspective that emphasizes the efficient arrest and conviction of criminal offenders” (Schmalleger, 2015, p. 22). A few of the underlying ideas of this model are keeping public order, preventing future crimes, and controlling unacceptable

Sampson and Laub 's age-graded theory focuses on informal social control to understand crime through the life course. The main ideas they focused on were transitions (life events such as marriage or incarceration), trajectories (pathways of one 's life) and turning points (Sampson, & Laub, 1993). This theory was able to show why and how involvement in crime peaks during certain periods in one 's life, and why many desist at certain times in their life. These ideas can be meshed together with institutional anomie factors like types of adaptations and escape mechanisms that people use.

When we think of preventing crime, we usually think of the police punishing people with tickets, or even jail time—but what role does family and friends play in deterring a would-be criminal? In every society there are organizations that encourage its people to conform to rules and norms. These organizations are called sanctions, and can be formal or informal, positive or negative. Positive sanctions include incentives like awards, titles, or recognition by others in the community. Negative sanctions include the threat of prison/jail or other punishment. An example of informal sanctions may be verbal or non-verbal cues from others, including: shame, a frown, gossip, or criticism. Extreme cases of sanctions may include social discrimination and exclusion; while formal sanctions may include legal consequences. Social control is necessary for any society to function—sanctions allow us to predict what other people will do in any given situation. Granted, it is not a guarantee of behavior, but does make social life less stressful.

In society, there are sanctions that are used to prevent, stop, and punish behavior viewed as bad or unacceptable. These unaccepted behaviors are called social deviance, and these sanctions are enforced through two forms of social control: formal social control, and informal social control. Both of these forms of social control work towards achieving the same goal: discouraging violations of society’s accepted behaviors, or social deviance, and punishing those who do. But what is the difference between these two forms of social control? How are these social control mechanisms carried out?