Control Theories of Crime and Deviance

• What does Social Control Theory argue about crime?

  Crime results from weak social institutions.
• What question does Control Theory primarily ask?

  Why don’t we commit crimes?
• What factors are linked to higher crime rates according to Control Theory?

  Weak families, communities, and government trust.
• According to Control Theory, who is more likely to commit crime?

  The unemployed, young, and men.
• What does Hirschi's Bonds of Attachment Theory state about delinquent acts?

  They occur when bonds to society are weak.
• What are the four social bonds according to Hirschi?

  Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, Belief.
• What does 'Attachment' refer to in Hirschi's theory?

  A person's sensitivity to others' opinions.
• What does 'Commitment' mean in Hirschi's Bonds of Attachment?

  Investment of time, energy, and reputation.
• How does 'Involvement' contribute to social bonds?

  It stems from engrossment in conventional activities.
• What does 'Belief' signify in Hirschi's theory?

  Conviction to obey legal rules.
• What did Hirschi and Gottfredson claim about crime?

  It flows from low self-control.
• What type of gratification does crime provide according to Hirschi?

  Immediate gratification of desires.
• Who is predicted to be the 'typical delinquent' according to Control Theory?

  Young, single, unemployed males.
• What does truancy indicate in Social Control Theory?

  Low social attachment and predictor of crime.
• What did Jack Straw argue regarding family structure?

  'Lads need dads' for social control.
• What did Harriet Wilson's research conclude about parenting?

  Close supervision prevents offending.
• What is 'chaperonage' according to Wilson?

  Close supervision of children by parents.
• What is the significance of gender in offending rates?

  Women are less likely to offend than men.
• How do feminist criminologists view control theory?

  They use it to explain women's lower offending rates.
• What did Hagan et al theorize about public deviance?

  It is more accessible to men than women.
• What is Pat Carlen's 'gender deal' theory about?

  Women offend when leaving traditional roles.
• What do Sampson and Laub's studies focus on?

  Life-course changes affecting deviance.
• What role do marriage and employment play in deviance?

  They can act as turning points in life.
• How does prison affect men's social bonds?

  It breaks their ability to form bonds.
• What are the three problem areas correlated with higher crime rates?

  Absentee parents, truancy, unemployment.
• What did the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development find?

  Offenders often come from poor, single-parent families.
• What is 'parent deficit' according to Martin Glyn?

  Absence of discipline and love from parents.
• What did NASUWT research suggest about family breakdown?

  It leads to gang involvement among pupils.
• How does gang culture affect inner-city schools?

  It has increased influence over the past years.
• What is a criticism of Social Control Theory regarding crime?

  Some crimes are committed by socially connected individuals.
• What do Marxists argue about Social Control Theory?

  It unfairly blames marginalized people for crime.
• What do Interactionists suggest about crime statistics?

  Middle-class crimes are underreported in statistics.
• What is a potential issue with focusing on marginalized crimes?

  It distracts from structural factors causing crime.
• What are 'pull factors' in relation to youth offending?

  Peer group pressure influencing criminal behavior.