Theories Of Crime (CRMJ 353) Hirschi's Social Bonding Theory

Towson University

Theories Of Crime (CRMJ 353)

Theories of Crime
September 18th, 2018
Control Theories
Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory
1. Control theories
 What characterizes control theories?
– Control theories suggest that all people have a similar motivation to offend:
humans are naturally self-interested.
– Control theories assert that everyone would violate the law if they could;
crime doesn’t need to be explained.
 Control theories explain what KEEPS people from offending.
– We conform because controls prevent us from committing crimes. Whenever
these controls break down or weaken, crime is likely to result.
 Many different applications of control concepts to explain crime.
– Reiss (1951): Personal & social controls
– Nye (1958): Direct, indirect, & internal control
 A version of control theory was proposed by Travis Hirschi (1969); his theory is
social bonding theory.
 Hirschi’s SBT brought together elements from all previous theories.

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