Four bonds of the social control theory
Social bonds refer to the degree at which an individual is integrated into a community or society and the social bonding that an individual establishes with the family, at school, workplace or to the community as a whole. The social bond theory by Travis Hirschi suggested that criminal activity is a product of a lack of meaningful connection between a person and the society ( Hirschi, 1998) . The theory states that once an individual can interact with the community positively, they can move from antisocial behavior. Hirschi presented four social bonds that describe the four essential elements of the social bond theory.
Attachment is the first bond that develops as a result of daily dynamics and interaction with the environment. The element comprises of the attachments that people form to others of the society. An individual’s devotion to friends, family, co-workers and other people makes them more connected to the world and reduces deviance since most people are law-abiding citizens. However, alienating an individual from the society weaken social attachments and cultivates crime. The second bond is a commitment that entails an idea that committing to things that hold value to a person such as a career, education or marriage reduces chances of crime. The commitment bond consists of the personal ethos that a person abides such as being committed to following the law and cultural norms. Therefore a person will desist from committing the crime unless they risk endangering their commitment
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Involvement by typical social behaviors is the third bond that describes the level of participation or engaging in a meaningful activity to reduce the chances of committing a crime. It states that once an individual is involved, the chances of committing a crime diminish. Individuals are less likely to commit a crime when they are engaged in activities that require a more significant time commitment. An individual’s primary belief system is the fourth bond that describes the morals of a person and what they believe to be right or wrong. The social bond consists of values, religious background and any other connection to a sacred thing that guides ad mitigates between good and bad behavior.
Comparison between social bond theories and self-control theory
Deviance is a term used in describing any behavior that goes against the established cultural and social norms. Hirschi’s 1969 social control theory relates to the 1990 self-control theory as they seek to define and understand deviance. Both the Social bond theory and self-control theory were developing as an exciting way of approaching social problems such as crime and explain why they occur. They both suggest why some individuals become deviant and engage in criminal behavior while others do not
The social control theory states that children who develop abnormal behavior are those who did not form social bonds with their family, friends, and society at large. Hirschi believes that every person is capable of committing a crime or becoming a criminal depending on their associations with the community ( Hirschi, 1998). Through socialization, Hirsch believes people can form bonds that include an attachment with the society, commitment to societal institutions, involvement in societal activities and belief in social norms that makes them follow them. On the other hand, the self-control theory of crime postulates that the degree of self-control in a person can be used to explain their likelihood to commit a crime or abide by the law ( Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990) . The theory believes that when a child is raised in an environment where parents or adults do not well monitor him, then there is a high likelihood of becoming deviant. Such a situation with limited monitoring means the child will fail to establish an attachment with the parents and will develop less self-control that encourages criminal behavior.
These theories relate in the sense that they all focus on understanding the factors behind deviant behavior in an individual. Both approaches use several elements in describing deviance behavior. According to the social bond theory, there are four elements of the bond including attachment, involvement, commitment and a clear moral conduct. On the other hand, the self-control theory is also divided into five elements that explain why people commit a crime. They include an aspect that offense provides immediate gratification of desires, it is exciting and risky, offense provides few long-term benefits, it requires little skill or planning and that crime results in pain or discomfort for the victim ( Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990) .
Human beings have a need of belonging and may wander to criminal activities if they do not achieve this sense of belonging, In both theories, there is an aspect of creating an attachment and sense of belonging in an individual. The self-control theory suggests that low-self-esteem comes from ineffective parenting among families that have a weak attachment between parents and the child ( Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990) . The same applies in the social control theory which believes the lack of an attachment bond between an individual and the society leads to the development of deviant behavior. The self-control theory suggests that low self-esteem is at the heart of criminal events and explains the criminal acts and practices across different demographics. The approach believes low-self-control in individuals makes a person more prone to crime since crime involves a desire to for immediate gratification. The social control theory also suggests that exploiting the process of socialization and social learning can help an individual develop self-control and a sense of belonging, which will reduce the likelihood of committing a crime ( Hirschi, 1998) .
However, the theories take different stances regarding their approach to understanding deviant behavior. For example, the social control theory suggests that the practice of an individual is based on their bonds to society and whether these bonds are strong or weak ( Hirschi, 1998) . Individuals who have strong bonds to society tend to conform to the set rules, and those who have a weak tend to become involved in criminal or deviant behavior. On the other hand, the self-control theory suggests that the expression of an individual is based on their fundamental understanding and ability to make the right decisions ( Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990) .
Additionally, the theories are also incompatible to some degree. For example, the social control theory posits that parents should create indirect rather than direct control over their children through psychological power. This theory stated that children could develop some of the connection and self-control on their own without needing close monitoring from parents who can only exercise indirect control ( Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990) . On the other hand, Hirsch abandoned this idea in the restraint by stating that parents must apply direct control over their children by monitoring them so that they can develop self-control and orientate them for eventual rather than immediate results. As a result, the self-control theory stated that parents must be present for their children and actively instill values and practices of self-control as a way of encouraging law-abiding behavior.
In conclusion, the social control and self-control theories are used as theoretical paradigms in the field of criminology. They both have become the most influential part of the control theory family since its publication as they focus on developing an independent individual who can use their self-control to make independent decisions including crime. The self-control theory appears to be an extension of the social-control theory with little contradictions between their explanations of why people commit a crime. The differences are that while the Social bond theory located control in a person’s relation to society while the self-control theory located the control within a person. However, this means the two approaches complement each other.
References
Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime . Stanford University Press.
Hirschi, T. (1998). Social bond theory. Criminological theory: Past to present. Los Angeles: Roxbury .
