Social Control Theory

There are numerous perspectives that explain the sociological criminology theories and social process criminology theories that have essential roles with individuals who choose to commit crime. Social process criminology theory have social forces that affect individuals when it comes to committing crime. Whether the cause of behavior is learned through alcohol abuse, domestic violence or group affiliations, social process theory has an adversarial effect on criminal behavior. Social process theory stresses the importance of group involvement and socializing with non-criminal peers within the groups. Social process theorists believe that criminality is determined by a person’s participation within different individual group affiliations.

Hirschi’s theory of social bond, sometimes referred to as control theory is different from the other theories in criminology because it assumes that people would be deviant when left to their own devices and looks to discover why the individual chooses to stay within the social confines of the law when illegal methods would be more beneficial. The social bond theory

Social control theory and social learning theory are two theories that suggest why deviant behavior is chosen to be acted upon by some individuals and not others. Both take a different stance on the issue. Social control theory suggests people’s behavior is based on their bonds to society, if they have strong bonds to society they conform and if not they have a tendency to act out or become involved in criminal or deviant behavior. Social learning theory suggest that through vicarious learning people learn from observing others and based on what the observe make the choice of whether to copy those actions to obtain desired results or chose not to if

One specific theory, social control theory focuses on the idea that everyone is presented with the chance to break the law. This theory explains that people typically do not break the law because they have self-control, which is influenced by internal and external forces. Another reason for following laws is that some people have a commitment to conformity. People that feel this way have a true understanding of reasons to uphold the law. Their instinct is to avoid any behavior that can result in trouble, this theory emphasizes that the stronger commitment a person has to social institutions the less likely they are to commit a crime. When people do not have commitments they can break the law without losing

Schmalleger (2015) defines social control theory as a theory that focuses primarily on the strength of the bonds that people share with individuals and institutions around them. The description goes on to say that those relationships in the individual’s life shape their behavior. Delinquency and Self-Esteem A proposition regarding the social control theory that would help to explain Ted Bundy’s criminal behavior is Howard B. Kaplan’s perspective.

Social control theory has become one of the more widely accepted explanations in the field of criminology in its attempt to account for rates in crime and deviant behavior. Unlike theories that seek to explain why people engage in deviant behavior, social control theories approach deviancy from a different direction, questioning why people refrain from violating established norms, rules, and moralities. The theory seeks to explain how the normative systems of rules and obligations in a given society serve to maintain a strong sense of social cohesion, order and conformity to widely accepted and established norms. Central to this theory is a perspective which predicts that deviant behavior is much more likely to emerge when

Travis Hirschi's Social Control Bond Theory, later known as the Social Control Theory, was created in the late 1960’s. Like many criminologists and theorists before him, he was trying to figure out why people conformed to follow the law. Hirschi believed that people only became criminals when their bonds to society are weakened. In particular, Hirschi suggests that youths that are strongly attached to parents will hold beliefs consistent with the norms and values of society and unlikely to engage in delinquency.

Social control is necessary because when there is lack thereof, there is also no societal order. Social control is used by those with power, money, and influence; there are many different levels and forms. Our parents exercise social control on us from birth in order to raise a person that can thrive in a controlled society. They may ground us if we stay out too late on a school night to reinforce responsibility, or instead of using negative reinforcement, they may use positive approaches. Such as acts of love and kindness in hopes that one day, you will replicate similar behaviors. A more formal example of social control is the espionage and spying that the National Security Agency has been carrying out on innocent Americans.

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.

In our text this week we have read about social process theory, social control theory, and social reaction theory. According to our text Social process theory is a theory that asserts that criminal behavior is learned in interaction with others and that socialization processes that occur as the result of group membership are the primary route through which learning occurs. This is also referred to as interactionist theory. Social control theory is a perspective predicting that when social constraints on antisocial behavior are weakened or absent, then delinquent behavior emerges. Rather than stressing causative factors in criminal behavior, social control theory asks the question why do people actually obey rules instead of breaking them?

" Thus, social control theory focuses on how the absence of close relationships with conventional others can free individuals from social constraints, thereby allowing them to engage in delinquency. (“Kompf-Leonard,

The social bond theory is one of many theories under the umbrella of control theories. Within the control theories, there is not an exact socio-historic background but there are few assumptions. Control theories take a different approach to crime than most other criminological theories. Instead of looking to solve the popular question of why people commit crimes, it looks to answer the question of why most people do not commit crimes. This theory believes criminal motivation is in fact not an individual trait, but instead a universal property. People aim to seek pleasure and without control, they will at all means. With that, there are two types of control a person can exhibit: personal and social. A person with high levels of personal

The research done in this paper provides a better understanding of deviance and social control. There are various factors to research on the topic to develop a complete understanding of the two ideas. Specifically, the goal is to identify factors that directly impact deviance and social control and if one can exist without the other. These topics provide a better understanding of the human behavior and actions because of social control and societal norms. The focus of this discussion is to provide a detailed analysis of societal norms, deviance, and social control. I have used supporting research and my own personal ideas to develop the findings in this paper. It has become evident that without societal norms there would be no social

Durkheim stated that “We are moral beings to the extent that we are social beings”, stating that the reason crime is controlled is because of social boundaries (Kempf-Leonard & Morris, 2012). Hirschi’s Social Control Theory gained prominence during the 1960s (Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, 2016). Control theories of juvenile delinquency go over an extensive series of themes including a variety of social circumstances. (Shoemaker, 2005). Hirschi’s Social Control Theory declares that bonds with school, family and other parts of society assist in reducing the possibility of delinquency. Unlike other theories on delinquency that explain the causes (Hirshi, 1969), Hirschi’s Social Control Theory seeks to explain why people do not engage in deviant behavior instead of explaining why people engage in it (Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, 2016). This theory seeks to explain “why did he not do it” instead of answering “why did he do it” (Shoemaker, 2005). It focusses on what controls behavior, specifically what factors, specifically “social bonds” prevent people from committing crime and states that performing delinquent acts is not because it was a learned behavior (Bates & Swan,

In chapter 7 of our text, Sociology, A Brief Introduction by Richard Schaefer, social control is discussed. According to the text, “Social control is defined as techniques and strategies for preventing deviant human behavior in any society (Schaefer, 159).” An example used in the text to explain this concept was “informal norms” such as dress codes introduced by peer groups in order to, “govern the behavior of their members (Schaefer, 159).” Within society, a term that is commonly known as deviance stems from social control. Deviance is “exhibiting behavior that violates the standards of conduct or expectations of a group or society (Schaefer. 165).” Deviant behavior goes against the social norms of society.