Control Theories
Control Theories – F. Ivan Nye (1958)
Main Question of Control Theories
Why do people conform to rules and laws instead of committing crime?
F. Ivan Nye (1958)
Focused on family relationships and delinquent behavior.
Believed juveniles need both internal and external controls to prevent delinquency.
Family is the most important source of social control.
Three Types of Control
1. Direct Control
External/social control through punishment or sanctions.
Includes formal punishment (legal system) and informal punishment (shame, ridicule).
2. Indirect Control
Strong emotional bonds between child and guardian.
Warm, affectionate relationships create attachment and conformity.
Also called social bonds.
3. Internal Control
Self-control developed through socialization.
Individuals internalize society’s norms, values, and beliefs.
Behavior becomes self-regulated.
Key Idea
Crime and delinquency are less likely when all three controls are strong and present.
Important Concept
Two major forms of control necessary to prevent delinquency:
Internal controls
External controls
Travis Hirschi (1969) – Social Bond Theory
Main Idea
People are less likely to commit crime when they have strong social bonds to conventional institutions such as family, school, work, and community groups.
Social bonds act as forms of social control that discourage deviance.
Hirschi studied white suburban boys to develop his theory.
All social bonds are external.
Four Elements of Social Bonds
1. Attachment
Emotional/affective ties to important people (family, friends, teachers).
Affection and emotional connection encourage conformity.
Individuals care about the opinions of those they are attached to, making them less likely to commit crime.
2. Commitment
Investment in conventional goals and activities such as education, careers, and future success.
People avoid crime because criminal behavior could jeopardize their achievements and future opportunities.
3. Involvement
Time spent participating in conventional activities (school, work, sports, clubs, community organizations).
Busy individuals have less time and opportunity to engage in delinquency.
4. Belief
Acceptance and internalization of society’s rules, norms, and values.
Individuals who believe laws are legitimate are less likely to commit crime because they see it as morally wrong.
Key Idea
Weak or broken social bonds increase the likelihood of delinquent behavior.
Sykes & Matza (1957) – Techniques of Neutralization
Main Idea
People who commit crimes are not necessarily morally different from others.
Most people are prevented from committing crime because of informal social controls such as guilt and shame.
To engage in delinquency, individuals temporarily neutralize or bypass these moral controls.
Techniques of Neutralization
Psychological techniques used to justify or rationalize deviant behavior.
Allow individuals to commit crime while still maintaining a generally conventional moral belief system.
People “neutralize” guilt so they can engage in wrongdoing without fully seeing themselves as bad people.
Five Techniques of Neutralization
1. Denial of Responsibility
Offender claims the act was outside their control.
Blames outside forces, peer pressure, environment, or circumstances.
Example: “It wasn’t my fault.”
2. Denial of Injury
Claims no real harm was done.
Example: “Nobody got hurt.”
3. Denial of the Victim
Offender believes the victim deserved it.
Example: “They had it coming.”
4. Condemnation of the Condemners
Focus shifts to criticizing those who disapprove or enforce the law.
Example: “The police are corrupt too.”
5. Appeal to Higher Loyalties
Individual commits deviance to satisfy loyalty to friends, family, or a group over society’s rules.
Example: “I did it for my friends.”
Key Idea
Individuals often internalize society’s norms and values, but use neutralization techniques to temporarily suspend guilt and justify delinquent behavior.