Transcript Social Bond Theory Self

Travis Hirschi
Social Bonds
Travis Hirschi’s social bonding theory may be
the most popular criminological theory today.
First presented in 1969, Hirschi questioned
why people do not commit crime.
Hirschi theorized that crime is more common
among individuals with weakened bonds to
societal institutions.
Copyright © 2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Social Bond Theory
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Developed by Travis Hirschi
The Theory:
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Travis Hirschi
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Assumes that all people have the
capacity to be delinquent
Preventing most people from engaging
in delinquency is a “bonding” to
conventional society
Hirschi identifies 4 elements to the social
bond
Social Bond Theory
Travis Hirschi
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Attachment refers to a person’s sensitivity
to and interest in others.
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Attachment: to parents, teachers, peers
- Attachment to parents is the most
important
- affection deters criminal activities
- Strength depends on the depth and
quality of parent-child interaction
Social Bond Theory
Travis Hirschi
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Commitment involves the time, energy, and
effort expended in conventional lines of
action, such as getting an education and
saving money for the future.
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Commitment: to conventional lines of
action.
- vocational aspirations, educational
expectations and aspirations
Social Bond Theory
Travis Hirschi
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Heavy involvement in conventional activities
leaves little time for illegal behavior.
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Involvement: with activities that promote
the interests of society
- A busy person doing conventional things
has little time for deviant activities.
Social Bond Theory
Travis Hirschi
People who live in the same social settings
often share common moral beliefs; they may
adhere to such values as sharing, sensitivity to
rights of others, and admiration for the legal
code.
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Belief: consists of assent to the society’s
value system
- respect of its laws and for the people and
institutions that enforce them.
Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 5/e
Steven E. Barkan
8
Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2006, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved
The Social Bond
Elements of the Social Bond
Conformity
Attachment
Emotional Attachment to
significant others
Commitment
Involvement
Belief
Efforts and Energies
expended toward conventional goals
Keeping busy at
conventional activities
Cognitive affirmation of
conventional values
Delinquency
Attachment
Emotional Attachment to
significant others
Commitment
Involvement
Belief
Efforts and Energies
expended toward conventional goals
Keeping busy at
conventional activities
Cognitive affirmation of
conventional values
Testing Social Bond Theory
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Hirschi’s Supporting Research
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Youths who were strongly attached to their parents were less likely to
commit criminal acts.
Commitment to conventional values, such as striving to get a good
education and refusing to drink alcohol and “cruise around,” was
indicative of conventional behavior.
Youths involved in conventional activity, such as homework, were less
likely to engage in criminal behavior.
Youths involved in unconventional behavior, such as smoking and
drinking, were more delinquency prone.
Youths who maintained weak and distant relationships with people
tended toward delinquency.
Those who shunned unconventional acts were attached to their peers.
Delinquents and nondelinquents shared similar beliefs about society.
Social Bonding Theory
– Physical and sexual abuse are thought to
contribute to delinquency
– Children of teen mothers at higher risk
– Poor grades and negative attitudes about
teachers more likely to be delinquent
– Religiosity helps prevent delinquency/criminal
behavior?
Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 5/e
Steven E. Barkan
11
Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2006, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved
Social Bonding Theory
– Sociodemographic Factors and Social
Bond Theory
• Gender; girls less delinquent than boys
because of attachment to family and school
• Race and Class; inconsistent findings in
research; Asian-Americans traditionally have
stronger bonds; social class and parental
discipline
• Age; bonding theory helps explain why
criminality decreases as we age out of
adolescence
Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 5/e
Steven E. Barkan
12
Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2006, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved
Social Bonding Theory
• Evaluation of the theory
– Relationship between social bonding and
delinquency pretty weak
– Explains minor offending more so than serious
offending
– Causal order
– Difficult to distinguish between commitment and
involvement
Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 5/e
Steven E. Barkan
13
Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2006, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved
Testing Social Bond Theory
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Opposing Views
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Friendship
Not all elements of the bond are equal
Deviant peers and parents
Restricted in scope
Changing bonds
Crime and social bonds