Criminal and Deviant Behaviour » Control Theory and Crime

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The key principles of Control Theory and how it explains criminal behaviour
Travis Hirschi's Social Bond Theory and its four elements
How social bonds prevent deviance and crime
Real-world applications and criticisms of Control Theory
How Control Theory compares to other criminological theories

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Introduction to Control Theory

Control Theory is one of the major perspectives in criminology that tries to explain why people don't commit crimes, rather than why they do. It flips the traditional question on its head by asking: "Why do most people follow rules and avoid deviant behaviour?" The theory suggests that people naturally would commit crimes if left to their own devices, but are restrained by social bonds and controls.

Key Definitions:

Control Theory: A perspective that suggests crime occurs when social bonds to society are weakened or broken.
Social Bonds: Connections that tie individuals to conventional society and discourage deviant behaviour.
Deviance: Behaviour that violates social norms or expectations.
Self-control: The ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts and behaviour in the face of temptations and impulses.

💡 Key Insight

Unlike other theories that ask "Why do people commit crimes?", Control Theory asks "Why don't people commit crimes?" It assumes that criminal behaviour would be common without social controls.

📖 Historical Context

Control Theory emerged in the 1950s-60s as sociologists became interested in understanding conformity rather than just deviance. Travis Hirschi's work in 1969 was particularly influential in developing this perspective.

Travis Hirschi's Social Bond Theory

The most influential version of Control Theory was developed by Travis Hirschi in 1969. His Social Bond Theory identifies four elements that bind individuals to society and prevent them from engaging in criminal behaviour:

🤝 Attachment

Emotional connections to others who hold conventional values (family, friends, teachers). When we care what others think, we're less likely to break rules.

🏆 Commitment

Investment in conventional activities (education, career). People who have invested time and energy in legitimate pursuits have more to lose by breaking the law.

📅 Involvement

Time spent in conventional activities leaves less time for deviant behaviour. Being busy with school, work, sports, or hobbies means less opportunity for crime.

⚖ Belief

Acceptance of society's moral and ethical code. When people believe in the legitimacy of laws and social norms, they're more likely to follow them even when they could get away with breaking them.

According to Hirschi, the weaker these bonds are, the more likely a person is to engage in criminal or deviant behaviour. Someone with strong attachments to family, commitment to education, involvement in positive activities and belief in social rules is unlikely to commit crimes.

How Control Theory Explains Crime

Control Theory suggests that criminal behaviour occurs when:

Family bonds are weak or dysfunctional
School attachment is poor
Peer relationships encourage deviance
Individuals have little stake in conformity
There's limited involvement in conventional activities
Belief in social norms and values is weak

Case Study Focus: Youth Crime

Research has consistently shown that young people with strong family bonds and school attachment are less likely to engage in criminal behaviour. A UK study found that teenagers who reported close relationships with parents and teachers, involvement in extracurricular activities and commitment to educational goals had significantly lower rates of delinquency than those with weak social bonds. This supports Control Theory's emphasis on social connections as protective factors against crime.

Later Developments: Self-Control Theory

In 1990, Hirschi collaborated with Michael Gottfredson to develop a new version of Control Theory called Self-Control Theory (or General Theory of Crime). This theory suggests that:

Low self-control is the primary cause of criminal behaviour
Self-control is developed early in childhood through effective parenting
People with low self-control tend to be impulsive, risk-taking and focused on immediate gratification
Once established, low self-control remains relatively stable throughout life

👮 Policing Implications

Control Theory suggests crime prevention should focus on strengthening social bonds through community policing, family support programmes and educational initiatives rather than just punishment after crimes occur.

🏫 Educational Relevance

Schools can help prevent crime by fostering attachment to teachers, commitment to education, involvement in activities and belief in rules and values. This explains why school engagement is linked to lower crime rates.

Criticisms of Control Theory

While Control Theory offers valuable insights, it has faced several criticisms:

Oversimplification: It may not adequately explain why people with strong social bonds sometimes commit crimes.
Deterministic view: It underestimates human agency and the capacity for people to make choices regardless of social bonds.
Cultural bias: The theory may reflect middle-class values and not account for different cultural contexts.
Gender blindness: Early versions didn't adequately explain gender differences in crime rates.
Causality issues: It's difficult to determine whether weak social bonds cause crime or if criminal behaviour leads to weakened bonds.

Control Theory vs. Other Criminological Theories

⚖ Control Theory

Focuses on restraints that prevent crime; assumes people would naturally commit crimes without social controls.

📝 Strain Theory

Suggests crime results from frustration when legitimate means to achieve goals are blocked.

👥 Learning Theory

Proposes criminal behaviour is learned through interaction with others who model and reinforce such behaviour.

Real-World Applications

Control Theory has influenced various crime prevention strategies:

Family interventions: Programmes that strengthen parent-child bonds and improve parenting skills
School-based initiatives: Efforts to increase student engagement and attachment to school
Community involvement: Youth clubs, sports teams and other activities that occupy time constructively
Mentoring programmes: Creating positive attachments between young people and adult role models

Exam Tip: Evaluating Control Theory

In your exam, remember to evaluate Control Theory by discussing both its strengths (explains conformity, supported by research on family bonds) and limitations (doesn't explain all types of crime, overlooks structural factors). Use specific examples to illustrate how the theory applies to real-world situations, such as youth crime or school-based prevention programmes.

Summary: Key Points to Remember

Control Theory focuses on why people don't commit crimes rather than why they do
Travis Hirschi identified four key social bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement and belief
Strong social bonds act as protective factors against criminal behaviour
Self-Control Theory suggests low self-control, developed in early childhood, is a primary cause of crime
Crime prevention strategies based on Control Theory focus on strengthening social bonds and developing self-control
The theory has been criticised for oversimplification and not adequately addressing structural factors

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