Travis Hirschi's Social Control Theory
To what extent does Travis Hirschi’s Social Control Theory provides the idea that the process of socialization by an individual rather than his social conditions would have a more significant impact on his involvement in crime? Explain.
1. Introduction
Criminological theories always explain why do people commit crime, or to find out what are the most influential factors motivate people commit crime and violate the social norms. However, social control theories have been already assumed humans are potentially committing crime. Further more, social control theory is emphasizing why a person do not be a criminal. In social control theorists’ assumptions, individuals have the capacity to violate the laws rather than obey the laws. Law-abiding …show more content…
This is not to say, of course, that such youths cannot engage in those behaviors before or after their legitimate activities.
Nevertheless, Hirschi argued that, at least during that time, such youths will not be committing delinquent acts.
Belief
Belief which is another variable that deter people from deviating from the social norms, refers to the existence of a common value system within the society whose norms are being violated (Hirschi, 1969:197).
A person is more likely to conform to social norms when he believes in them for example when a Christian believes that not attending church service is a sin or a crime or a belief that when a person disobeys the parents he will be cursed. Hirschi recognizes that individuals vary in the depth and magnitude of their belief and rely upon the degree of attachments to the systems representing the beliefs. Thus Hirschi viewed the four variables as highly intercorrelated.
Hirachi Supporting …show more content…
In short, the adult is more on his or her own in the world, complete with a character structure that presumably is crystallized more fully. The relative mix and impact of internal and external control across the life course is an issue that warrants further investigation.
In conclusion, though Hirschi’s control theory is still prominent in the modern society, it has faced many criticisms as mentioned above and some of these critiques have even been furnished by Hirschi himself especially regarding the origin of this theory.
It is assumed that, in contrast, that there is variation in the extent to which people believe they should obey the rules of society and furthermore that the less a person believes he or she should obey the rules the more likely he or she is to violate them.
In summary, Hirschi has had a significant impact on the world of criminology. His two major theories, the control theory of delinquency and self-control theory, despite criticism have guided public policy reformations and are quite popular
1. Introduction
Criminological theories always explain why do people commit crime, or to find out what are the most influential factors motivate people commit crime and violate the social norms. However, social control theories have been already assumed humans are potentially committing crime. Further more, social control theory is emphasizing why a person do not be a criminal. In social control theorists’ assumptions, individuals have the capacity to violate the laws rather than obey the laws. Law-abiding …show more content…
This is not to say, of course, that such youths cannot engage in those behaviors before or after their legitimate activities.
Nevertheless, Hirschi argued that, at least during that time, such youths will not be committing delinquent acts.
Belief
Belief which is another variable that deter people from deviating from the social norms, refers to the existence of a common value system within the society whose norms are being violated (Hirschi, 1969:197).
A person is more likely to conform to social norms when he believes in them for example when a Christian believes that not attending church service is a sin or a crime or a belief that when a person disobeys the parents he will be cursed. Hirschi recognizes that individuals vary in the depth and magnitude of their belief and rely upon the degree of attachments to the systems representing the beliefs. Thus Hirschi viewed the four variables as highly intercorrelated.
Hirachi Supporting …show more content…
In short, the adult is more on his or her own in the world, complete with a character structure that presumably is crystallized more fully. The relative mix and impact of internal and external control across the life course is an issue that warrants further investigation.
In conclusion, though Hirschi’s control theory is still prominent in the modern society, it has faced many criticisms as mentioned above and some of these critiques have even been furnished by Hirschi himself especially regarding the origin of this theory.
It is assumed that, in contrast, that there is variation in the extent to which people believe they should obey the rules of society and furthermore that the less a person believes he or she should obey the rules the more likely he or she is to violate them.
In summary, Hirschi has had a significant impact on the world of criminology. His two major theories, the control theory of delinquency and self-control theory, despite criticism have guided public policy reformations and are quite popular