Examples Of Containment Theory In Criminology

The containment theory in criminology was developed by Walter Reckless. This theory attempts to explain criminality using internal and external pressures. Moreover, this theory presents us with push and pull factors. This approach proves to be quite logical and rational. The theory argues that we are influenced by internal and external pressures, and that the world is filled with them. Consequently, this means that we do not live in a perfect world. If we did, then we would have some form of reasonable control over our own deviance. This theory is essentially conveying that the internal and external pressures lead to deviance and criminal acts. This theory can be used to explain a wide variety of factors, because there are many different pressures that can ensue. Containment theory highlights and illustrates that social pressures exist in our lives, and they can be predisposed upon individuals. As stated in the book “Containment theory attempts to account for social forces that may predispose individual to crime as well as for individual characteristics that may insulate them from or further propel them forward criminality” (Hagan, 2017). The theory also touches on exactly how criminality is or is not produced. Essentially, social pressures exert pushes and pulls on the individual, these pressures interact with containments, and these containments add the element of free will in existing criminality. (Hagan, 2017). The core components of this theory are social pressures