Lecture 7: Social Control Theories

Social Control Theories

Argue that people are naturally capable of deviance and what must be explained is conformity rather than crime

Core Idea

People avoid crime when their social bonds and controls are strong

Gratification Concept

Crime is often the easiest path to pleasure and control is what stops people from offending

Family Bonds

Warm supportive parenting reduces delinquency while harsh or inconsistent discipline increases it

Criminal Parents

Lead to weaker supervision and greater family instability

Parental Incarceration

Major risk factor that increases likelihood of future offending

School Bonds

Strong attachment to teachers and school reduces delinquency while truancy suspension and failure increase it

Positive School Climate

Protective factor that lowers later crime

Religion & Crime

Religious influence reduces crime only where religion is socially important and loses strength when individual and private

Internal Controls

Morals conscience ethics and self control formed early in childhood

External Controls

Family supervision school rules peer expectations punishments and social reactions

Durkheim on Deviance

Deviance reinforces moral boundaries and reminds society of shared norms

Containment Theory

Crime depends on the balance between forces pushing toward deviance and forces containing it

Inner Pushes

Impulsivity aggression anger and feelings of inferiority

Outer Pushes

Poverty discrimination peer pressure and abuse

Inner Containment

Self control strong self concept and viewing oneself as a good person

Outer Containment

Supportive family strong school attachment caring peers and a stable community

Criticism of Containment Theory

Concepts like self concept are vague and difficult to measure

Family Ties Theory

Argues that the family is the strongest force preventing juvenile delinquency

Internal Control

Conscience formed through early socialization

Direct Control

Parental supervision discipline and clear rules

Indirect Control

Fear of disappointing loved ones through guilt or shame

Needs Satisfaction

Families that meet children's emotional and material needs reduce delinquency

U Shaped Pattern of Control

Too little or too much control increases crime while moderate control is most effective

Life Course Perspective

Explains how social bonds change over time and why crime peaks in adolescence and declines in adulthood

Trajectory

Long term path shaped by social experiences

Transition

Major life events such as marriage school or employment

Positive Transitions

Strengthen bonds and reduce crime

Negative Transitions

Weaken bonds and increase deviance

Gender Patterns

Women's crime often linked to abuse victimization and unstable relationships

Life Course Persistent Offenders

Begin offending young continue across life and are linked to neurological and environmental risks

Adolescent Limited Offenders

Offend mainly during adolescence due to the maturity gap and peer influence and stop as adult roles develop

General Theory of Crime

Crime occurs when low self control combines with opportunity

Self Control Development

Formed through early parenting including monitoring recognizing misbehaviour and correcting it and stabilizes by age eight

Traits of Low Self Control

Impulsive risk seeking short sighted prefers quick rewards and lacks persistence or planning

Criticism of Theory

Later life events can still change criminal pathways

Social Bond Theory

Strong social bonds prevent crime while weak or broken bonds increase it

Attachment

Caring for parents teachers or peers

Commitment

Investment in future goals such as school or career

Involvement

Participation in conventional activities leaving little time for crime

Belief

Respect for laws and moral values

Integrated Model

Weak bonds lead to drifting toward deviant peers exposure to techniques and definitions favourable to crime and offending becomes fun or justified

Control Based Policies

Policies aim to strengthen social bonds rather than rely on harsh punishments

Effective Programs Include

Parent training early childhood intervention supportive school environments mentorship culturally relevant teaching smaller class sizes stable employment and prosocial programs