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Hirsch's Social Bond Theory and Gottfredson & Hirschi's General Theory of Crime, Slides of Criminology

A General Theory of Crime in define the nature of crimes and criminals, low-self control and policy implication.

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Uploaded on 03/31/2022

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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?
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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?

Social Support

 This is Cullen’s pet theory—his article is in

the end of your book

 Social Support Matters

 As a “precondition” of informal control

 As an alternative explanation of why “marriage” or

“parental attachment” are important

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”

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

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?

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?

Empirical Support

 Tautology Problems

 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.

Empirical Support

 Moderate to strong relationship

 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)

REIVEW

 Central Concepts

 Empirical Support?

 Scope?

 Parsimony?

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”