SOCIOLOGY

Low Self Involvement in Criminal Activities

Low Self Involvement in Criminal Activities

Introduction

There is a high significance of low self control in the rising issues of Criminal Involvement. The main cause of people getting attracted to criminal activities has been their low self control. We would look at the role social control theories play in the high criminal involvement of people.

When there is a disconnection between a person's social bonds, that person is more likely to get induced into criminal activities. Over the years, the role of Social Control Theories has been immense in the context of Criminology (Beaver et al, 2009).

Discussion

An intricate characteristic associated with Social Control theories is the lack of social bonds and social connections that seem to induce normal people into criminal activities. People that enjoy healthy social relationships have lesser chances in getting attracted to criminal activities.

That's why Social Control theories have been addressing the social impact associated with criminal activities. The Social Control Theories lay significant importance on social relationships, commitments and values and beliefs. They are of the view that if the social commitments and values can be strengthened, the chances of people getting induced to Criminal Activities would be substantially reduced (Anon, 2008).

Social Control theories have been known to ignore the motivation aspect associated with violation of laws by people. Motivation aspect strives to tell us the major reasons why people get motivated to break laws.

Sadly the Social Control theories are more inclined towards assertion of social relationships and commitments rather than explaining the motivation factors that induce people into criminal activities.

Self Control Theories in Criminology

As far as the field of Criminology is concerned, there has been a massive contribution of Self Control Theories. A high criminal involvement is being attributed to low self control. Many people involved in Criminal Activities have been known to have a low self control which is the major reason they get attracted to criminal activities.

For instance personality traits like impulsiveness, high levels of anger, self centred are traits that are exhibited by people that have been plagued by low self control. Low self control results in these traits and is a major reason that the person gets attracted to criminal activities (Fagan & Meares, 2008).

Self control assumes added significance when there is an interaction between law enforcement agencies and criminals. The process of criminal justice is greatly affected by low self control. The Criminal Justice process cannot achieve its goals due to low self control.

Although majority of social control theories have based their discussions on importance of Social relationships and values, there have been many other theories directed at control theory logic.

There have been many people that have been guilty of criminal activities because their behaviour was in complete violation of the beliefs and values. People have ignored the societal values and beliefs and thus are more involved in criminal activities.

There is a high degree of violation pertaining to the norms and values of the ...