1. Review of Hirsch (1969) What is a “pure” control theory?
How is this different from other theories?
What kind of control does the “social bond theory” emphasize?
Why?
What are the elements of the bond?

2. Social Support As a “precondition” of informal control
As an alternative explanation of why “marriage” or “attachment” are important

3. A General Theory of Crime Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990)
“OOPS” -Travis Hirschi

4. Another “Classic”
Start their theory with a statement of the “nature of crime”
Compare control vs. other theories (rehash of stuff we’ve discussed)
Attempt to explain the “stability” of antisocial behavior
“Heterotypic continuity”

5. The Nature of Crime and Criminals
Criminal Acts…
Provide immediate gratification
of desires
Are risky/thrilling
Are easy/simple
Require little skill/planning
Provide few/meager long term
benefits
Result in pain/discomfort to a
victim
Criminals are therefore…
Impulsive
Risk-taking
Physical (as opposed to mental)
Low verbal ability
Short-sighted
Insensitive

6. Low Self-Control
The cluster of traits (impulsive, insensitive…) tend to come together in people
They are present before “crime”
They tend to persist through life
Personality?
G&H argue against this--LSC doesn’t “require crime”
But, “well within the meaning of personality”

7. Causes of Low Self-Control
We are all born without self-control
Self Control is established in early childhood (age 8)
Causes must be in early childhood
Parents failure to supervise, recognize, punish
Straight from Patterson, but no role for “positive learning” (positive reinforcement)
“What parent kind of parent would train their kids to be delinquent?”
Biology? Infants might differ on “impulsiveness or verbal ability…but all can be socialized
Is this a cop out? ADHD?

8. Implications of Low Self-Control
The sole cause of crime and “analogous behaviors”
All Crime?
“Analogous Behaviors?”
Explains “stability” of criminality
Low self-control is stable over time
What does this mean for Hirschi’s social bonds?

9. 2 Explanations (Social Selection & Social Causation) Social Bonds
Low Self Control Crime
Pure Social Selection
Poverty, Delinquent Peers,
Social Bonds, Poverty
Low Self Control Crime

10. Empirical Support Tautology Problems Attitudinal measures
Only if self control inferred from“behavioral measures” (e.g., delinquency)
Attitudinal measures
I would rather read a book than engage in physical activities.
I tend to be value the “here and now” and do not like to plan my life.

11. Empirical Support Moderate to strong relationship BUT:
With delinquency, crime, and “analogous behaviors” (smoking cigs, driving fast)
Among the strongest predictors of crime
Similar strength regardless of who is tested (male/female, etc)
BUT:
Controlling for low self-control weakens, but doesn’t eliminate “social” causation
In other words, it appears as though low self-control is not the sole cause of crime
Are white collar offenders different from “street” offenders? (Some evidence they are)

12. Policy Implications Low self-control stable after age 8
Only “early prevention” can reduce crime
Train parents, support parents??
Hirschi pessimistic about this
BUT, that is the whole point of Patterson’s work
Typical “rehabilitation” won’t reduce crime
Changing “bonds” won’t reduce crime

13. REIVEW
Central Concepts
Empirical Support?
Scope?
Parsimony?

14. Criticisms Why do people desist from criminal activity?
Not the “sole” cause of crime
Bonds still more important?
Social learning measures still important
Old wine in a new bottle? (Single Factor?)
Parenting sole cause of self-control?
Traditional Rehabilitation won’t work?
Trait vs. “Cognitive Skill”