Social Control Theory: The Cause Of Crime

Criminologists have studied the cause of crime for many years and have created multiple theories as to why an individual may become a criminal. In regards to criminologists’ views, “Some who have a psychological orientation view crime as a function of personality, development, social learning, or cognition. Others investigate the biological correlates of antisocial behavior and study the biochemical, genetic, and neurological linkages to crime. Those with sociological orientation look at the social forces producing criminal behavior, including neighborhood conditions, poverty, socialization, and group interaction” (Siegel, 2014, p. 7). While it is impossible to pin point one true cause of criminal behavior in an individual, or individuals,

Self-control is an internal factor that shows a person has strong moral feelings making them unable to commit an act that may hurt someone else or that doesn’t agree with the values society has established as respectable. Commitment to conformity is an external factor explaining that a person doesn’t want to ruin their reputation or self-achievements through organizations or institutions they are strongly involved with by committing a crime. However, when those factors of internal and external control are missing or absent then a person is prone to violate the law. One of the biggest and most influential studies of social control theory was documented by Travis Hirschi in his book Causes of Delinquency, which was published in 1969. Under this theory, "Hirschi links the onset of criminality to weakening of the ties that bind people to society. He assumes that all individuals are potential law violators, but most are kept under control because they fear that illegal behavior will damage their relationships with friends, family, neighbors, teachers, and employers" (Siegel, 2014, p. 180). Travis Hirschi 's social control theory identified that there are four key elements capable of affecting an individual’s potential to commit a crime, which are: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Attachment is how a person interacts and shows interest with others. Under this element, it is important that a person maintains a close relationship with their parents. If the bond between a parent and child is broken, and they no longer speak, it is more likely that the child will begin to show resistance towards authorities. Under the element of commitment, it is discussed that a person should put their effort and time into productive activities. Getting an education, beginning to save money for the future, and