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Social Control Theory Of Crime

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Social Control Theory Of Crime
According to James D. Orcutt, The Social Control Theory of crime places a strong emphasis on conformity (2011:97). Rather than focusing on the intrinsic or extrinsic motivations of criminal behavior within an individual, control theorists wonder why people choose to conform (ibid). Conformity is the idea of matching your attitudes, beliefs and/or opinions to match those of the people or groups around, in order to avoid being seen as different. When influences such as personal values, institutional participation or relationships are weak or broken individuals are more likely to deviate from societal norms. Social bonds control behavior and determine whether or not an individual will be compliant or deviate societal norms. If society is working
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