Societal Control

1. Societal Control of Crime

2. Societal- relating to society or social
relations.
Crime- an action or omission that constitutes
an offense that may be prosecuted by the
state and is punishable by law.
Control- the power to influence or direct
people's behavior or the course of events.

3. Social Control Theory
is a sociological theory that explores the causes of individual
engagement in criminal behavior. It states that individuals act in
certain ways because of the influence of society. If an individual
is attached to society, or to important individuals (parents,
friends, etc.) in that society, they will act in positive, constructive
ways.

4. On the other hand, if individuals are not attached to
society, they will act in destructive ways, including
criminal behavior. Social controls are developed in
childhood by parents and teachers who associate
positive behavior with rewards and negative
behaviors with punishments.

5. As individuals age and as their paradigm changes,
their acceptance of these social controls shifts as
well. The essential beliefs created through this
process, as well as the related values, mores, and
interpersonal relationships and commitments, create
the framework for personal motivators that
encourage people to follow laws.

6. Travis Hirschi

7. He stated that the presence or lack of effectiveness of
social controls on individuals were key influences in their
decisions to engage in criminal activity. Those who
commit crimes do so because they feel no obligation to
abide by the rules of a society to which they have no
allegiance or connection. Social control theory is also
called ''social bond theory.''

8. Attachment
Four Main Components in
Individual-Community
Relationships or Social Bonds
Commitment
Involvement
in society
Belief in cultural
and social mores and
norms

9. Connections between individuals and the surrounding community are important in
personal development. If these connections are strong enough, individuals will not act in
ways that are disagreeable. They will not want to disappoint or endanger parents,
teachers, coworkers, or friends. They will want to build up, not damage, their
community.
On the other hand, the absence of attachments to other individuals means that criminal
behavior will not disappoint anyone.
Attachment

10. Commitment
If commitments to other people do not exist,
individuals will not have any reason not to
engage in criminal activity, because
impediments to freedom or other punishments
will not adversely affect any responsibilities.
The obligations that individuals have undertaken are important influences on their
behavior. If people have responsibilities to dependents or employees or other
members of a community, they will not want to do anything that can prevent the
completion of these responsibilities. Deviant behavior, especially criminality, can
cause punishments that will impede the carrying out of their obligations. This in turn
can destroy interpersonal relationships.

11. Individuals will not want to harm society or go against
its teachings if they have a vested interest in the
goings-on in that community.
Involvement in society

12. BELIEF IN
CULTURAL AND
SOCIAL MORES
AND NORMS
If someone truly believes in the
rules that have been established
by a society, they will never act
contrary to them.

13. If an individual has been brought up to
be law abiding, they are less likely to
become involved in crime.

14. The underlying goal of social control is
to maintain social order, an
arrangement of practices and
behaviours on which society’s
members base their daily lives.