SOCIAL CONTROL THEORY

Why are you NOT delinquent? According to Control Theorists, people do not engage in delinquency because of the controls or restraints placed on them. “I know the difference from right and wrong.” “I have many plans for the future and delinquency may hinder or destroy my future.” “My family would be very disappointed.”

COMPARISON TO SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY Social Learning looks at what causes and what prevents delinquency Social control looks at how different types of sanctions prevents delinquency Delinquency is largely a function of differences in the level of control (According to Control theorists)

MAJOR TYPES OF CONTROL By Agnew DIRECT CONTROL STAKE IN CONFORMITY INTERNAL CONTROL

DIRECT CONTROL Setting rules Monitoring the juveniles behavior Sanctioning the juvenile for rule violations and delinquency Reinforcing the juvenile for conventional behavior

STAKE IN CONFORMITY Emotional attachment to conventional others Actual or anticipated investment in conventional activities

INTERNAL CONTROL Beliefs regarding delinquency Ability to exercise self-control

Article: Parental and Peer Influences on the Risk of Adolescent Drug Use Purpose: Adolescent relationships with parents and peers correlation with drug use. Variables: Attachment to father Attachment to mother Parental monitoring

Results: Attachment to Mother: Cigarette use, Marijuana use, Illicit drug use Attachment to Father: Alcohol use, Binge drinking, cigarette use Parental Monitoring: Alcohol use, Binge drinking, cigarette use, Marijuana use, Illicit drug use

Data was more consistent with Social Learning Theory than Social Control Parental Monitoring was found to be the most important social control variable (of 3 tested) Negative association between parental monitoring and having friend who used drugs

HIRSCHI SOCIAL BOND THEORY ATTACHMENT COMMITMENT INVOLVEMENT BELIEF

ATTACHMENT To violate a norm is to act contrary to the wishes expectations of others. If one does not care about the wishes of others he is not bond to the norms and there is no attachment and is more likely to be deviant. Ex. A divorced man is more likely to commit deviant acts (suicide or forgery). He lost his attachment and conscience when divorced, and studies show more deviant acts are likely to take place. Theorists suggest attachment to any object outside self, for example home, religion or family pets promotes moral behavior.

COMMITMENT If a person invests time, energy, himself in a certain line of activity (education, business, athletics) then they must think of the risk of losing what they committed to. A deviant act is less likely to occur because of this fear of losing it. Committed to conformity One also must be aware of not only the risk of what they will lose but also what they hope to obtain.

INVOLVEMENT People are to busy doing conventional things to find time to engage in deviant behavior. They have to many obligations such as appointments, deadlines, work hours and so on. Involvement in conventional activities is a major deterrent to delinquency. Deviant acts are much more likely to happen when a juvenile is not supplied or offered the opportunity to satisfy their recreational interest. (facilities, money etc.)

BELIEF Many do not have an attitude of respect towards the rules of society. No moral obligation, so their beliefs and values are constant with feelings. The less a person believes in the rules of society, the greater chance a person will violate them.

QUESTION Who or what is more important for control of delinquency, father or mother, family or school?