Control Theory
6
The Complexity of Control
Travis Hirschi 1935– University of Arizona Author of Social Bond Theory
Hirschi’s Two Theories and Beyond
T
ravis Hirschi has dominated control theory for four decades. His influence today is undiminished and likely will continue for years, if not decades, to come (see, e.g., Britt & Gottfredson, 2003; Gottfredson, 2006; Kempf, 1993; Pratt & Cullen, 2000). Beyond the sheer scholarly talent manifested in his writings, what accounts for Hirschi’s enduring influence on criminological theory? Three interrelated considerations appear to nourish the appeal of his thinking. First, Hirschi’s theories are stated parsimoniously. This means that his theory’s core propositions are easily understood (e.g., the lack of social bonds or of self-control increases criminal involvement). Second, Hirschi is combative and thus controversial. He stakes out a theoretical position and then argues that alternative perspectives are wrong. Hirschi (1983) has long been antagonistic to attempts to integrate theories. Good theories, he believes, have assumptions and an internal consistency that make them incompatible with other approaches. Attempts to mix them together result in fuzzy conceptual frameworks and inhibit the growth of the individual theories. Third, because Hirschi’s theories are parsimoniously stated and make claims that other theories are wrong, they are ideal to test empirically. One (but not the only) reason that theories flourish is that they are able to provide scholars with opportunities to conduct research and gain publications—the very accomplishment that allows for tenure
109
110
CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY
and career advancement (Cole, 1975). Hirschi’s theorizing has thus been a rich resource that criminologists have mined for numerous publications (Gottfredson, 2006; Kempf, 1993; Pratt & Cullen, 2000; Sampson & Laub, 1993). There is little evidence that this vein of research ideas will soon run dry. This is not to say that Hirschi’s
The Complexity of Control
Travis Hirschi 1935– University of Arizona Author of Social Bond Theory
Hirschi’s Two Theories and Beyond
T
ravis Hirschi has dominated control theory for four decades. His influence today is undiminished and likely will continue for years, if not decades, to come (see, e.g., Britt & Gottfredson, 2003; Gottfredson, 2006; Kempf, 1993; Pratt & Cullen, 2000). Beyond the sheer scholarly talent manifested in his writings, what accounts for Hirschi’s enduring influence on criminological theory? Three interrelated considerations appear to nourish the appeal of his thinking. First, Hirschi’s theories are stated parsimoniously. This means that his theory’s core propositions are easily understood (e.g., the lack of social bonds or of self-control increases criminal involvement). Second, Hirschi is combative and thus controversial. He stakes out a theoretical position and then argues that alternative perspectives are wrong. Hirschi (1983) has long been antagonistic to attempts to integrate theories. Good theories, he believes, have assumptions and an internal consistency that make them incompatible with other approaches. Attempts to mix them together result in fuzzy conceptual frameworks and inhibit the growth of the individual theories. Third, because Hirschi’s theories are parsimoniously stated and make claims that other theories are wrong, they are ideal to test empirically. One (but not the only) reason that theories flourish is that they are able to provide scholars with opportunities to conduct research and gain publications—the very accomplishment that allows for tenure
109
110
CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY
and career advancement (Cole, 1975). Hirschi’s theorizing has thus been a rich resource that criminologists have mined for numerous publications (Gottfredson, 2006; Kempf, 1993; Pratt & Cullen, 2000; Sampson & Laub, 1993). There is little evidence that this vein of research ideas will soon run dry. This is not to say that Hirschi’s