Assumptions about “Motivation towards crime” Strain theory: motivation from some sort of strain (e.g. blocked opportunity) Learning theory: motivation from delinquent peers Control theory: there is enough natural motivation towards crime No need to “build in” extra motivation

Types of Control Direct Control Indirect Control Internal Control Direct punishments, rewards from parents, friends Indirect Control Refrain from deviance because you don’t want to risk friends, job, etc. Internal Control Good self-concept, self-control, conscience

Travis Hirschi Causes of Delinquency Identified 4 Elements of the Bond Attachment (emotional element) Commitment (stake in conformity) Involvement (in conventional activities) Belief (in the validity of the law) Focus here is on indirect controls

Evidence in Favor of Bonds Attachment Attachment to parents (wish to emulate, identify with) Commitment Grades, educational aspirations Belief Neutralizations

Criticisms of Hirschi’s Theory Delinquents do form relationships Attachment to delinquent peers or parents increases, rather than decreases delinquency Which comes first, bonds or delinquency? Bonds more salient for females, and early in adolescence

Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) A General Theory of Crime Same control theory assumptions If we are all inclined to be deviant, why conform? Because most of us develop “self-control” “Internal control” Developed by age 8, as the result of “direct control” from parents

Nature of Crime, Nature of Low Self-Control 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 People with low self-control are therefore… Impulsive Risk-taking Physical (as opposed to mental) Low verbal ability Short-sighted Insensitive

The implications of low self-control Explains “stability of criminal behavior” But, how does it explain “aging out?” Explains all crime and analogous behaviors Analogous = same “nature” as criminal acts

Patterson Revisited: Revenge of the control theorists Parents supervise and punish deviance Parenting Context Child’s Antisocial Behavior Is Patterson a “social learning” or “control” theorist???

Empirical Support Moderate relationship between low self-control and both crime and analogous behaviors Holds for both males and females BUT Not the “sole cause” of crime May not explain white collar crimes

Policy Implications Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory Target attachment, commitment, belief Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory Must focus on early childhood prevention Train parents?

REVIEW CONTROL VS. LEARNING Assumptions about motivation (and human nature) Differences over attachment to “deviant others” Similarity? “Direct Controls” are similar to “Mechanisms of Learning”