Topic > Analysis of the Views of Social Control Theorists

Social control theorists believe that individuals obey the law because they are properly socialized and have controls over behavior, these controls are both internal and external. Those who have a strong moral sense should therefore, according to control theorists; being incapable of harming others through one's actions and possessing a strong commitment to conformity, ensuring that society's laws and rules are upheld. According to control theory, individuals who are not engaged in society, with a low moral sense, would be; don't be put off by the threat of punishment for not holding a stake in the company, so they have little to lose. Social control comes from a conception of human nature that believes humans are born free to commit crimes, Travis Hirschi states that all humans are hedonistic in nature, however it is through controls that allow individuals to rationalize the pros and cons of delinquency and crime. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Social control theories do not explore why crime is committed; instead, they rationalize why the crime is not committed; drawing on both psychological and social factors in explaining crime and delinquency. Thomas Hobbes recognized this without a social contract; there could be no society and chaos would reign, it is this essence of the social contract that lies at the basis of social control. Émile Durkheim focused his attention on the significant transitions that had occurred, including industrialization, urbanization, and the decline of religion as a significant force in social life; proposed that social order arose from the shared beliefs, values, norms, and practices of a group of people. Durkheim theorized that it was through shared culture in the community that allowed for a sense of social connection that united members in solidarity, referring to this group as a collective consciousness. He noted the importance of social institutions such as education, law enforcement, the state, and the media in forming a collective consciousness in society; according to Durkheim; through interactions with these institutions and the people around us, we work collectively to maintain social order. In 1957 Jackson Toby published an article in which he discussed why adolescents were or were not inclined to engage in delinquent behavior; arguing that individuals engaged in non-delinquent activities felt as if they had too much to lose; they had an interest in society, therefore an interest in conformity. The notion of individuals shaped by community bonds laid the foundation for the idea of ​​internalized norms acting as a method of social control. Ivan Nye is followed by Toby's studio; conducted formal interviews with 780 minors, focused on the family unit as a source of control, subsequently specifying three types of control; direct control, or the use of punishments and rewards as incentives for particular behaviors; indirect control, or attachments with individuals who adhere to social norms; and internal control, or the manipulation of conscience or guilt to encourage conformity. His findings showed that youth could be controlled directly by parental constraints that limit opportunities for delinquency, or through parental rewards and punishments. Young people can also be constrained when they are free from direct control by the anticipation of parental disapproval or through the development of,.