Social Control Theory Of Crime Essay

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Pages: 3

In the criminal justice field there are many explanations to the reason why crime occurs, and why criminals commit crimes. Both Gottfredson et al. (1990), and Hirschi T. (1969) agree with the explanation that control theory brings in explaining why people commit crimes. According to social control theory, the reason why individuals break the law has to do with the weakening, and the breakdown of their social bonds (Hirschi T., 1969). In the article “A General Theory of Crime” by Michael R. Gottfredson, and Travis Hirschi, Gottfredson et al. explains that crime is committed because of the immideate pleasure that the criminal is able to obtain from it (Gottfredson et al., 1990). Just as Gottfredson et al., Hirschi T. also agrees in his article “A Control Theory of Delinquency” that the reason why people commit crimes has to do with themselves, and not with any outside force from society (Gottfredson et al., 1990, & Hirschi T., 1969). Even …show more content…
According to Hirschi T., (1969) people commit crimes because of the weakening, and the breakdown of societies norms (Hirschi T., 1969). Hirschi T., (1969) explains that there are four elements if not present can lead a person to turn to crime, and they are attachment to other people, commitment to follow the rules set by society, involvement in what society sees as proper, and right, and finally a basic value system (Hirschi T., 1969). When an individual is missing one or more of the elements according to Hirschi T., (1969) then that individual will be more likely to become a criminal because he or she does not have any regards toward the norms of society (Hirschi T., 1969). The main point that Hirschi T., (1969) is making is that without the attachment that people develop with others, as well without a value system, commitments, and behaviors that society sees as proper people are more likely to be lead into a life of