Social Control Theory Applications
In 1969, Travis Hirschi came up with a theory that suggested that the strength and sturdiness of an individual’s attachment or responsibilities to the conventional society, for example, family and school, restrains them from being social deviants. Travis contended that human nature is essentially selfish and proposes the interest concerning why people do not commit deviance (Cassella 2020).
Travis Hirschi gave examples of how the Social Control Theory explains deviant conduct. One example is attachment; this alludes to the fondness we feel towards others (Cassella 2020). If individuals have solid bonds with others, they often care about their expectations, opinions, and support (Social Control Theory, 2021). As Ivan Nye describes it, this is known as indirect control or the affectionate assimilation of people in coherence with social norms. Hirschi suggested that having healthy relationships positively impacts one’s life while having a low-income family life or being unable to form friendships results in an adverse impact.
The second example of how the Social Control Theory explains deviant behavior is involvement, which is the amount of time an individual spends in their conventional activities (Cassella 2020). According to Hirschi, the more we focus on standard and socially acceptable activities, the less time one has to be deviant. For example, staying busy with work, school, or family keeps one away from bad behavior.
In conclusion, Hirschi’s theory was also supported by other scholars like Jackson Toby, who contended that people busy with non-decadent activities felt like they had a lot to mislay by getting involved with delinquent people. Ivan Nye claimed that the young might be straightforwardly controlled using requirements enforced by guardians, through restrictions on the chance for wrongdoing, and additionally through parental rewards or disciplinary action. Lastly, Michel Foucault also argued that the 18TH century presented another type of power: discipline, a power association where the subject is complicitous.
References
Cassella, K. (2020). Social Work and Deviant Behavior. Eastern Gateway Community College.
“7 2A: Social Control Theory” (2021). Social Sci Libre Texts. https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Sociology/Book%3A_Sociology_(Boundless)/07%3A_Deviance_Social_Control_and_Crime/7.02%3A_Social_Control/7.2A%3A_Social_Control_Theory
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Question
Application of Theory: Provide two examples of how the Social Control Theory explains deviant behavior