Fare supposed suppose to teach children how to behave. Parenting can be a challenging responsibility. Attachment involves an emotional connectedness to others, especially parents, who provide indirect control. If we have strong bonds, we are more likely to care about their opinions, expectations, and support. Attachment refers to affection we have towards others. Often known as social bond theory or social control theory, Hirschi presented four elements of a social bond – attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. In 1969, he argued that all humans have the propensity to commit crime, but those who have strong bonds and attachment to social groups like family and school are less likely to commit crime. Travis Hirschi is most associated with control theories. Since they have fewer stakes in conformity, they would be much more likely to commit crime compared to the teacher. They may have a job, but indeed not a career. However, juveniles tend not to have kids nor are they married. If caught, he could lose his job, get divorced, and possibly lose custody of his children. For example, a married teacher with kids has quite a bit to lose if he or she decided to start selling drugs.

The more stakes in conformity a person has, the less likely they would be willing to commit crime.

Toby (1957) introduced the phrase “stakes in conformity,” which is how much a person has to lose if he or she engages in criminal behavior. Social controls originate in social institutions like family, school, and religious conventions. Personal controls are exercised through reflection and following pro-social normative behavior. Control theories try to identify what types of “controls” a person may have that stops them from becoming “uncontrollable.”Įarly control theorists argued that there are multiple controls on individuals. Control theories assume people are naturally selfish, and if left to their own devices, will commit illegal and immoral acts. Instead of assuming criminals have “something” or experienced “something” that drives their criminal behavior, control theories ask why more people do not engage in illegal behavior. Control theories differ in their approach. These attitudes, especially when reinforced, will prevail in social situations. Learning theories demonstrated the importance of learning criminal attitudes to commit crimes.

Strain theories assumed people were good, but bad things happen, which causes many to be pushed into criminal behaviors. For example, biological and psychological theories sought to identify traits that determined criminality. The methods used tried to identify the driving forces behind a criminal’s behavior. Previously discussed theories asked why people commit crime.

4 elements of crime