Ch 14. Social Control Theory

Question 1

Social Control Theories ask:

Answer 1

Why don’t we all commit deviance? We all have the capacity.

Question 2

Egoistic suicide

Answer 2

occurs when there are weak social constraints and the person acts in self-interest (Durkheim and Social Integration)

Question 3

Anomic suicide

Answer 3

occurs when a lack of social integration leaves a society without a clear system of moral beliefs and sentiments (Durkheim and Social Integration)

Question 4

Social control theories hold that humans are neither…

Answer 4

…good nor evil,amd we all have the capacity to do wrong. They also attempt to understand why people conform.

Question 5

Gangs predominated in areas where there were breaks in the structure of social organization, in other words, where…

Answer 5

…social controls were weak and where communities don’t have good employment, families, school, nor churches to be social controls (thrasher)

Question 6

Shaw and McKay claimed that we can see social disorganization/deviance from…

Answer 6

…social problems and the physical structure of the neighborhood. They concluded that deviant behaviour/crime cannot be just because of an individual’s failure.

Question 7

Zones of Transition

Answer 7

Places where individuals move in short term because of the high affordability. These are visible in lack of investment, broken windows, and low social attachments.

Question 8

CPTED

Answer 8

Crime Prevention through Environmental Design

If social disorder is physical and can lead to higher rates of criminal offending, we need to change how neighborhoods look physically.

Question 9

What are Travis Hirschi’s 4 Social Controls in his general theory of crime:

Answer 9

1. Attachment (to society)
2. Commitment (pursuit of goals)
3. Involvement (activity in convention)
4. Belief (conventional values)

Question 10

Social Control Theory says it’s CONFORMITY not…

Answer 10

…deviance that needs to be explained

Question 11

what are the mechanisms of social control that bind people in social order?

Answer 11

1. Family
2. Schooling
3. Religion

Question 12

mechanical solidarity vs organic solidarity

Answer 12

mechanical: sameness/traditional
organic: interdependence/modern

Question 13

for shaw + mckay, deviance is not an individual problem but…

Answer 13

…an ecological problem

Question 14

What did Hirschi + Goffredson say about self-control?

Answer 14

people with low-self control are impulsive, focus on the moment, have unstable relationships, and are thus more likely to commit crime & engage in risky behaviour.

Question 15

The Family as Social Control (3)

Answer 15

• strong ties to parents is deterence regardless of parents’ criminality
• warm, effective family relationships = low dequliency
• non-physical punishment is effective

Question 16

Schooling as Social Control (3)

Answer 16

• the successful are rewards and conform
• the unsuccessful are rejected by adults/peers
• zero tolerance policies in schools are proved to be harmful

Question 17

Religion as Social Control (3)

Answer 17

• mixed evidence
• only works if person’s own belief system aligns with religion
• can actually increase deviance if the person isn’t strongly attached

Question 18

Albert Reiss’ Social Control Theory

Answer 18

When personalized controls (internalized by individuals) break down or are in conflict, they cannot be enforced and delinquency will result

Question 19

Ivan Nye said delinquency is not motivated by resulting gains, but is prevented by the…

Answer 19

…relative costs of alternate benefits.

Question 20

How can you explain Indigenous People in the CJS through social control theories? (4)

Answer 20

• ruptured families/communities
• loss of traditional roles/obligations
• loss of social control practices
  = broken social bonds + disorganized communities

Question 21

• Lack of employment and education
• Social isolation
• Large numbers of young people with few resources
• Cultural disintegration and decreased interdependencies
• Multiple layers of deprivation

Answer 21

Features of reserve life that correlate to crime

Question 22

1. High standards and values maintained by the school
2. Student participation in decision making
3. Small school and class size; low staff turnover
4. Mix of students with varying intellectual and social abilities
5. Individual learning goals and pacing
6. Mechanisms for transitioning to a career
7. Curriculum relevant to student lives and minority cultures

Answer 22

qualities of effective schools

Question 23

The school affects delinquency in two interrelated ways

Answer 23

1. It has taken over many of the socialization functions formerly done by the family
2. through its effects on children’s daily lives

Question 24

what are the policy implications regarding family as a social control?

Answer 24

Focus on establishing parental bonds with children to foster their internal controls. Addressing criminal behaviour by strengthening families