Social Control theory by Travis Hirschi

Travis Hirschi formulated Social Control theory in 1969. According to this theory, human nature is inherently negative. A person is basically self-centered, headstrong, and egoistic. However, there is a consensus among people regarding the values of society. Human progress is possible only by accepting the goals approved by society and the legal means of achieving them. Deviance or law-breaking arises due to the disparity between goals and the means of achieving them. The correction of deviance is possible only by providing equal opportunities for progress to all individuals.

This theory has four key elements and certain social institutions. These concepts are:

Attachment: This refers to the strength of bonds that connect an individual to relatives and close associates, such as parents, teachers, other close family members, or community leaders. Such connections encourage obedience to the law and develop tendencies to adhere to moral codes.

Commitment: This refers to adherence to conventional patterns and the selection of future goals that can be achieved through lawful means.

Involvement: This means participation in conventional social activities, which guides individuals toward accepting societal goals. The more time a person spends in such activities, the less likely they are to engage in illegal activities.

Beliefs (Belief): This refers to the moral acceptance of social norms. The institutions involved include the home, family environment, parents, school, teachers, and peers.

Several objections have also been raised against this theory:

• It is based on the insight of classical criminology, and its ideas are expressed in positivist terminology.
• This theory is one-sided because it does not explain the factors that arise from the culture and structure of society.
• It presents such an image of human nature from which it appears that crime is an inevitable result of the absence of social control.
• Many individuals with weak social bonds still obey the law and do not turn toward crime.

Some critics also argue that, apart from the strength or weakness of social bonds, there are other dimensions as well—important among them are qualitative and quantitative aspects.