Social Process Theory: Social Control Theory And Criminal Behavior

proven as an effective theory (Akers 1998, 200; Agnew, 2005). The general theory of crime and delinquency shares some of the strengths of social learning theory except this specific theory focuses on a bigger picture of what causes crime and is showed through what Agnew refers as life domains (Akers 1998, 200; Agnew, 2005). The theory also focuses on risk factors and explains how people go through these risk factors across their lifetime (Agnew, 2005). The weaknesses of this theory is that it lacks empirical testing just like the labeling theory but a strength is that social learning theory, deterrence theory, rational choice theory, and Thornberry’s interactional theory of delinquency have been empirically tested which supports this theory

Over the past years, the self-control theory claims that the sole of crime is self-control and that parenting has big influence on it which is contradicted by some critics. One of the critics against this argument is Ronald Akers, the proponent of social learning theory. Akers claims that persons engage in criminal behavior when their obedience to the norms of the society is decreased and they differently associate with persons who commit deviant acts (Akers & Jennings, 2009). To date, however, there is no common publication about the comparative explanatory power of the two theories. Nevertheless, some researches were conducted in other countries especially western countries to compare said theories.

This theory is also based upon four concepts or elements found with social bonds: attachment, commitment, belief, and involvement, all of which contribute to criminal behavior. Social bonds are the interpersonal relationships we form with family, teachers, friends, employers and even neighbors. Self-control also plays a part in this theory because if a person does not possess self-control, the person is more prone to engaging in criminal activity because they do not want to violate social norms or hurt others. The stronger these elements are; the less likely criminal behavior takes

Social process theory has several subdivisions including: social control theory, social learning theory and social reaction (labeling) theory (will only focus on social control theory). Social control theory insinuates every person has the possibility of becoming a criminal, but most people are influenced by their bonds to society. It contends that individuals obey the law and are less likely to commit crime if they have: learned self-control, attachment (to family, friends, peers, education, etc.), commitment (to school, learning, etc.), involvement (in leisure activities, sports, etc.), and belief (those that are positive). According to social control theory, an individual is more likely to be criminal/deviant if they are detached and alienated (from friends, education, family, etc.),

Social Control theory can be used as a reliable and valid psychosocial explanation of school violence, specifically in explaining the actions of the Columbine school shooters. Kempf-Leonard and Morris described control theory in their journal in a way that provides an explanation for how behavior conforms to that which is generally expected in society. Some control theories emphasize the developmental processes during childhood by which internal constraints develop. Social control theories, however, focus primarily on external factors and the processes by which they become effective. Deviance and crime occur because of inadequate constraints. For social control theory, the underlying view of human nature includes the conception of free will, thereby giving offenders the capacity of choice, and responsibility for their behavior. As such, social control theory is aligned more with the classical school of criminology than with positivist or determinist

Everyday the future in America looks brighter for the issues dealing with race and identity. Brave souls are not letting racism, class discrimination, or sexism hold them back anymore. Furthermore, the fight for a balanced society that pushes for equality is on the horizon. As we close on an era, based on purely the skin of the person, we need to analyze the impacts of the Ethnicity paradigm and Class paradigm on politics of the 20th century. Race and Ethnicity are used interchangeable in everyday conversation, however; they are not the same. In Howard Winant and Michael Omi, Racial Formation book, they outline in the first few chapters the weakness of examining race based on the ethnicity/ class paradigm. Although the paradigms

Between age, gender, race, and social class I feel that race and social class are characteristics that influence criminal activity the most. The relationship between race and crime has been very controversial. Minorities hold more negative views of the police and criminal justice system than most Caucasians. They are also more likely to be perceived as racially motivated and to be victims of police brutality. African Americans represent approximately 12.6 percent of the population, yet they account for 28 percent of the arrests in the United States. Criminologists suggest that this statistic may be due to the practice of racial profiling. Racial profiling refers to the act of using race to determine whether a person is likely to have a committed

Social process theory has several subdivisions including: social control theory, social learning theory and social reaction (labeling) theory (will only focus on social control theory). Social control theory insinuates every person has the possibility of becoming a criminal, but most people are influenced by their bonds to society. It contends that individuals obey the law and are less likely to commit crime if they have: learned self-control, attachment (to family, friends, peers, education, etc.), commitment (to school, learning, etc.), involvement (in leisure activities, sports, etc.), and belief (those that are positive). According to social control theory, an individual is more likely to be criminal/deviant if they are detached and alienated

A proponent of conflict theory would see mass incarceration as another blatant example of class warfare. Society is made up of very diverse socioeconomic levels and yet our incarceration rates for lower class and racially specifics groups is sky rocketing. Conflict theorist, such as Karl Marx who saw society as a competition for power and control. (pg.16) would suggest that mass incarceration is a tool for unequal social structure. A select few powerful individuals and groups make the laws, and those laws are enforced to outlaw any behavior that threatens their interests. The poor and powerless are much more likely to be arrested, convicted and sentenced for serious crimes, while the powerful and wealthy continually get off with only fines if anything. The crime rate among the poor is very high because of a lack of opportunities. The poor also lack education, skills, and a strong support system that is necessary for individuals to become productive,

Two of the most important concepts are the Strain theory by Robert K. Merton and General Strain theory by Robert Agnew. Strain theory describes that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goes such as the American dream. Though they lack the means to have the American dream, which leads to strain, but might lead to the individuals to commit crimes. On the other hand, Robert Agnew’s General theory describes as seeing crime as a coping mechanism to help people deal with socioemotional problems that are generated by negative social relations. Each member of society has similar goals and aspirations. Some have experienced blocked access to their goals producing behavior that is characterized as criminal.

This theory suggests that the motivation behind crime for a control theorist does not center on pressure resulting from negative affective states but rather the absence of important relationships (Hirschi 1969). With the absence of that relationship one is more prone to be involved in crime (Hirschi 1969). The absence of an important relationship in this case would apply to Aaron Hernandez and his father. Prior to his father’s death Aaron Hernandez never used nor abused any form of drugs. Aaron’s father was his world and kept him headed on the right path. An early theorist Robert Agnew also pointed out in the Strain Theory that absent relationships would lead to finding coping strategies, which Aaron Hernandez did as stated previously with regards to the Biological Theory with his usage of

Karl Max developed conflict theory that suggests that people are in competition with one another over resources, power, and inequality. The criminal law aspect of the theory can be defined as a theory that assumes that society is based primarily on conflict between competing interest groups and that criminal law and the criminal justice system are used to control subordinate groups (Bohm & Haley, 2009). Examples of the competition between groups can include but not be limited to the rich against the poor, management against labor, whites against minorities, men against women, and adults against children (Bohm & Haley, 2009). Conflict theorists assert that social order is maintained by authority backed by the use of force (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2006). They assert that the privileged classes hold legal power and use the legal system to make others obey their will. They conclude that most people obey the law because they are afraid of being arrested, imprisoned, or even killed if they do not obey (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2006). Furthermore, conflict theorists state that public image legitimizes the authority and practices of dominant groups and allows them to achieve their own interests at the expense of less powerful groups (Bohm & Haley, 2009). It deflects the attention of subordinate group members from the many problems that dominant groups create for them and turns that attention to

Several theories declare the connection between child abuse and crime. One of the earliest theories was originated by Sigmund Freud in 1896. Freud 's Repressed Memories theory shows that abusive memories are indirectly stored in the victim 's subconscious. In other words, a subject blocks out painful or traumatic experiences. This could lead to hysteria, and other complications in adulthood (Richmond). The Social Learning Theory (SLT) maintains that children develop patterns of violent or delinquent behavior through imitation. For instance, if a child is being beaten at home, then the child will revert to doing so to other children at school. The Social Control Theory (SCT) says that individuals have a natural tendency towards crime and violence

The relationships shape a person’s behavior and seeks to identify those features of a person’s personality and of the environment that keeps a person from committing a crime (Schmalleger, 2012). Social control theory predicts that when social constrains on antisocial behavior are weakened or are absent, delinquent behavior will happen. Social control asks why people obey rules instead of breaking them. Social control does not stress causative factors in criminal behavior (Schmalleger, 2012). Social control theory tries to find and identify features of personality and the environment that keep people from committing crimes. Social control feels the underlying view of human nature includes the idea of free will which gives offenders the freedom of choice, and responsibility for their behavior (Kempf-Leonard & Morris, 2017). Even those who do choose to commit crimes are likely to share the general idea that the rules they broke should be followed (Kempf-Leonard & Morris, 2017). Social control theory feels that crime and deviance are predictable behaviors that society has not curtailed particularly the process where people are socialized to obey the laws and rules of society (Kempf-Leonard & Morris,

responsibility of the individual committing or partaking in the crime. Though this is a common thought it is simply untrue because it eliminates many of the social and environmental factors that encourage deviant behavior. The truth is, society plays a significant role in whether or not deviant behavior stops or continues for a specific individual who has already committed a crime. Ideas and concepts under the Labeling theories emphasis society’s roles and states that, “efforts [of] social control (…) ultimately trigger processes that trap individuals in criminal careers” (Cullen, Agnew & Wilcox 2014). Essentially, society forces invasive labels and social reactions that then cause many Individuals with criminal past to create self-fulfilling