Comparative Analysis of Labeling Theory and Social Bond Theory
Throughout the years criminologists have tried to come up with explanations for what makes individuals more prone to engage in criminal activity. The explanations can range from labels given to individuals to the bonds individuals have with others. Over the years, the theories have been tweaked and integrated to help gain a better understanding of why individuals commit crimes. Some theories also call for explanation on how to reduce crime in the future as well. Everything in society is caused by something, which produces the effect. The cause is generally what goes unknown most of the time. This paper will analyze Labeling Theory and Social Bond Theory. First I will clearly describe
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Social Bond theory consists of four elements that help to understand and define the theory. The four elements are: attachment, commitment, involvement, and beliefs. The roots of Social Bond theory can be traced back to General Theory of Crime. The stronger all four elements are, the least likely one will engage in criminal activity, although Hirschi believes that everyone is capable of engaging in criminal activity (Brown, Esbensen, and Geis, 2013). Attachment, which is made of values and norms, and receives the most attention rather than any other element. Attachment usually begins at birth with the mother. Bonds or attachments at an early age help to establish future attachments with other family members, peers, teachers, etc. Parental attachment plays a strong part in an individual’s life. When parental attachment is reduced then delinquency acts are increased. Individuals with strong attachments are more likely to be respectful and refrain from deviant behavior (Brown, Esbensen, and Geis, …show more content…
The theory can be tested and it gives explanations for reducing crime. This theory does not mention the negative attachments, involvements, commitments, or beliefs that one may have. The theory could be extended a step further to looking negative impacts of the four elements to examine if they impact the chances of individuals committing more crimes. Social bond theory is applied to minor offenses; this theory would be more efficient if it would be applied to all offenses (Brown, Esbensen, and Geis, 2013). When social bond theory looks at the attachments, it does not take into account gender differences. Males and females may have different levels of attachment, but it may not affect their choice to partake in criminal activity. The general idea of morals is not taken into account as well. Hirschi generalizes the idea that everyone will commit crimes or do anything if they have weak bonds. Weak bonds leading to criminal activity is not the case for everyone. The theory does not take into account the people with weak bonds who refrain from criminal activity and progress in life (Brown, Esbensen, and Geis,
Social learning theory was first developed by Robert L. Burgess and Ronald L Akers in 1966 (Social Learning theory, 2016). In 1973, Akers wrote a book entitled Deviant Behaviour: A Social Learning Approach, which discussed Aker’s conception of the social learning theory. He developed social learning theory by extending Sutherland’s theory of differential association (Cochran & Sellers, 2017). Social learning theory is based on the principles of Pavlov’s operant and classical conditioning. Akers believes that crime is like any other social behavior because it is learned through social interaction (Social Learning theory, 2016). Social learning theory states that the probability of an individual committing a crime or engaging in criminal behaviour is increased when they differentially associate with others who commit criminal behavior (Cochran & Sellers, 2017). Social learning theory is classified as a general theory of crime, and has been used to explain many types of criminal behaviour (Social Learning theory, 2016). Furthermore, social learning theory is one of the most tested contemporary theories of crime. There are four fundamental components of social learning theory; differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement and imitation (Social Learning theory,
Hirschi, T. (2011). Social bond theory. In F. Cullen & R. Agnew (Eds.), Criminological Theory: Past
One possible explanation for criminal behavior within society is Travis Hirschi’s theory of social bonding. Instead of asking “who commits crime?” he believes we should be asking “who doesn’t commit crime?” In his theory, Hirschi explains that all people naturally break laws and, therefore, everyone is equally prone to do bad things.
While the study of criminal justice and the formation of criminal justice theories are largely molded by several other disciplines such as psychology and sociology (Wellford, 2007), the study of criminal justice has grown and it is time for it to stand alone as its own scientific discipline. Crime theories are developed through studying individuals and assessing as well as their environment and other social aspects. These theories are then used to help form policies in order to deter the individual or group from committing further crimes. Criminal justice theories are not only used for crime but there are also theories which aid criminal justice personnel in the application of the practices that they use. The criminal justice policies are implemented
The first theory that can be applied to Adam Lanza is the social bonding theory. The social bonding theory was developed in the 1960s by the criminologist Travis Hirschi. It is best summarized as, “Hirschi's social control theory proposes that delinquents fail to form or maintain a bond to society consisting of attachment, commitment, involvement,
Attachment is a key element in the social bond, which consists of “affectionate bonds between an individual and his/her significant others” (Tibbetts, 2012, p. 163). For Hirschi, parents and schools are very important and critical elements of attachment. Those who form close attachments to their parents and schools usually experience greater levels of social control. For example, Nannie Doss did not have any attachments especially with her parents. Hirschi says, “the stronger the early attachments are, the probability of acting inappropriately decreases” (Tibbetts, 2012, p.163). Also, Nannie Doss did not have any social interactions with her friends or peers because her father did not allow her to attend school and have friends. Therefore, Na...
Social or bond control theory assumes that people, especially teenagers, will have delinquent acts when they are not controlled. In other words, whenever individual’s bond to society is weak, a person is likely to commit crimes. In the social control theory, there are four elements of the bond to conventional society that influence people’s behaviors, including attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.
Sampson, R., & Laub, J. (1990). Crime and Deviance over the Life course: the salience of adult social bonds. American Sociological Review, 55(5), 609-627.
Social bond theory benefits in explaining the case study of Edmund Kemper in various ways. For example, the theoretical principle of the social bond theory emphasizes that the absence of the 4 social bonds
Attachment is an emotional bond that is from one person to another. The attachment theory is a psychological, an evolutionary and an ethological theory that is concerned with relationships between humans, specifically between mother and infant. A young infant has to develop a relationship with at least one of their primary caregivers for them to develop socially and emotionally. Social competence is the condition that possesses the social, emotional and intellectual skills and behaviours, the infant needs these to success as a member of society. Many studies have been focused on the Western society, but there are many arguments to whether or not this can be applicable to other cultures, such as the poorer countries.
An integrated theory is a combination of 2 or 3 theories that offers many explanations on why crime is occurring, compared to a traditional criminal theory that just focus on one type of aspect (Lilly et al.2010). The purpose of integrated theories is to help explain many aspects into what causes criminal behavior and why one becomes delinquent. From this an argument arises can integrated theories be used to explain all criminal behavior. Integrated theories are successful in explaining certain aspects of crime on what causes one to become deviant; however one theory alone cannot explain why an individual engages in crime. This paper will examine three integrated theories and look in-depth how these theories can explain different aspects on why criminal behavior occurs and the weakness of each theory. The three integrated theories that will be discussed in this paper are Cloward and Ohlin Differential Opportunity theory, Robert Agnew General Strain theory, and lastly Travis Hirschi’s Social Bond theory.
According to Krohn (1986) bridged together theoretical propositions from the delinquency-enhancing effects of differential association and the delinquency-constraining effects of social bonds, as these interact with social learning and social control. His network theory maintains that the lower the network density in relationship to population density, the weaker the constraints against nonconformity, and the higher rates of
Social Control Theory presumes that people will naturally commit crime if there were left to their own devices (i.e. no laws in society) and people do not commit crimes because of certain controlling forces, such as social bonds that hold individuals back partaking on their anti social behavior (Bell, 2011). Examples of controlling forces are family, school, peers, and the law. Young people who are t... ... middle of paper ... ... nd delinquent are more likely to partake in committing criminal behavior (Shaefer and Haaland, 2011, p.155-156).
The four bonds are imperative in determining a person’s conformity or deviance to society. When bonds are weak, Hirschi saw that a person becomes “free” to engage in delinquency (Williams & McShane, 2010). The first bond, which is attachment, deals with the relationship one has with parents, friends or school and clubs. Attachment is the most important bond because a strong tie to parents or institutions will help prevent deviance. Attachment is also important because the other bonds are thought to build on attachment.
The main focus of the essay will be the implications of labelling theory and how it affects individuals. It also will be focusing on the creation of particular categories of criminals when labelling theory is applied, in addition it will outline what labelling theory is, how it affects people and how it effects the creation of criminal categories. The purpose of this essay is to allow a better understanding of labelling theory and its implication on creating criminal categories.