Social Bond Theory

Travis Hirschi created the social bond theory, sometimes referred to as Hirschi's theory of social control, in the late 1960s. According to the notion, a person's relationships of attachment, commitment, engagement, and belief are extremely important in preventing criminal activity. Hirschi contends that a person is less likely to commit a crime the stronger and more positive their ties are.

Attachment is one of the main ideas of Hirschi's theory. An individual's emotional ties to their family, friends, and community are referred to in this. Hirschi contends that people are less prone to commit crimes because they are afraid of endangering their relationships if they have deep attachments to other people.

Another essential element of Hirschi's approach is commitment. When someone invests in their education, job, or family, they are investing in their future. According to Hirschi, people who are sincerely invested in their future are less inclined to commit crimes because they do not want to risk losing what they have worked so hard for.

Hirschi's idea emphasizes involvement as a further crucial component. This is a reference to how much a person participates in everyday activities including work, school, and family life. Hirschi contends that those who are actively interested in these activities are less likely to engage in criminal activity because they are too busy to have the time or energy for it.

Finally, believing is the fourth crucial component of Hirschi's thesis. A person's views and values, especially their acceptance of societal moral and social conventions, are referred to in this. Hirschi contends that people who strongly adhere to these norms are less likely to engage in criminal activity because they do not want to act in a way that is contrary to their values and beliefs.

Numerous studies have been conducted on Hirschi's theory of social control, and it has gotten both praise and criticism. While some researchers have discovered that the theory is successful in describing criminal conduct, others have claimed that it is oversimplified and fails to account for other factors, such as poverty, racism, and mental illness that may have an impact on criminal behavior.

Hirschi's theory of social control contends, in summary, that relationships of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief in one's own life are essential in deterring criminal activity. The idea has drawn praise and criticism, and sociologists and criminologists continue to disagree over how well it explains criminal conduct. Hirschi's theory continues to influence how academics and professionals approach the study of crime and criminal behavior, however, and it remains a significant contribution.

---

Reference:

Wickert, Christian. “How Social Bonds Affect Deviance – Social Bonds Theory (Hirschi).” SozTheo, 22 Apr. 2019, soztheo.de/theories-of-crime/control/social-bonds-theory-hirschi/?lang=en.