CRIMINOLOGY

Self-Control Theory of Crime Evaluation

Self-Control Theory of Crime Evaluation

Introduction

One only has to read the newspaper to appreciate that people do become criminals and, in large numbers, Stories about prison overcrowding, murders, rapes, burglaries, and drugs are hard to avoid. Criminal behavior is no Longer a rarity among sports “heroes” and celebrities not to mention school children and business leaders. And, closer to home, few families, regardless of race, religion, culture, or location, are immune to the experience of having a friend or relative engaged in illegal activity at some level. Of course, not all participants will serve time in prison for their actions, but many will. The aim of this paper is to compare social control theory and conflict theory to clearly understand the criminal behavior.

Discussion

Social Control Theory

Hirschi's social control theory (1980), the most cited and researched control theory, involves four control areas: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. The main premise of the theory is that an individual's attachment to conventional others, commitment to conventional goals, involvement in conventional activities, and belief in conventional values are all aspects of the bond which keep individuals from acting on antisocial impulses. When the bonds are weakened individuals become free to act in the way that is most beneficial to them and the reality is that, consequences notwithstanding, criminal behavior is frequently beneficial (Hirschi, 80, p. 475).

Historically, the main premise of social control is a Hobbesian one. Hobbes questioned why men would obey the rules of society therefore assuming that, left to their own devices, they would not. Emile Durkheim also described men as morally lax creatures in need of regulation to keep them from self-gratifjing uncontrolled behavior (Lindquist, Smusz & Doemer, 1985, 15-63). This is consistent with the Freudian position that humans are “inherently antisocial” given their pleasure-seeking and aggressive drives. These Id drives are tempered by the reality- centered ego and the internalization of familial and societal standards inherent in the superego (Blackburn, 1993, p. 71).

A central element of social control theory is this assumed natural inclination of humans to fulfill their needs and desires as easily as possible, and, therefore, to tend toward antisocial or criminal behavior. To prevent this proclivity towards crime, a bond with society must be forged which will result in self-control (Hirschi, 1980). The question put forth by Hirschi is what prevents enactment of these behaviors? The theory posits that attachment to others, commitment or investment in conventional goals, involvement in conventional activities in conventional values act as a bond to society and therefore discourage criminal behavior. Investment in conformity or, stated another way, the social bond between the individual and society is considered the control that keeps the individual in check (Hirschi, 1980, p. 474).

Empirical support for control theory is plentiful if modest given the extensive amount of research conducted. Tests of social control have included replications and extensions, comparisons to other theories, applications to different populations, and integration with other theories. As an example, Junger-Tas (1992) tested social control theory by developing scales ...