SOCI 2205 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Anomie, Iron John, Feral Child
27 Jun 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Social Control Theories
Social Control Theory
Focuses on techniques and strategies that regulate human behaviours and lead
to conformity, or obedience to
oSociety’s rules
oThe influence of family and school
oReligious beliefs
oMoral values
oFriends
oBeliefs about government
Belief systems, rather than specific guide what people do and universally serve
to control behavior
Conceptualized as representing practically any phenomenon that leads to
conformity
Basically, any mechanism by which society regulates its members
Defines what is considered deviant behaviour, what is right or wrong, and what is
a violation of the law
Includes laws, norms, customs, mores, ethics, and etiquette
Ex.
oAs recently as 20 years ago, there were no legal restrictions, norms, or
customs regulating the snoking of cigarettes in public places
oIn fact, smoking was considered sociable, if not sophisticated and suave,
until the dangers of second-hand smoke were admitted
oAt present, the number of provinces and cities that ban smoking in public
places continues to grow, and it is increasingly the norm for workplaces to
ban smoking, as well as bars, restaurants, casinos, and even golf courses
oJournal: Smoking on the ferry, dad’s teachers lounge- smoke pouring out
into the hall way
Hirschi- microsocial prespective
oLess interested in the SOURCE of an individual’s motivation to commit
delinquent acts than in the reasons people do not commit such acts
oSocial control theory explains conformity and adherence to rules, not
deviance
oFour social bonds that promots socialization and conformity:
Attachment
Commitment
Involvement
Belief
Attatcment
oTo parents
Youths who have formed a signifigant attatchments to a parent
refrain from delinquency because the consequences of such an act
might jeopardize that relationship
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
oTo school
Academic incompetence poor school performancedislike of
school rejection of teachers and administrators as authorities
delinquency
oTo peers
Attachment to parents and school overshadowa the bond formed
with peers
“…the ideas that delinquents are unusually dependent upon their
peers, that loyalty and solidarity are characteristic of delinquent
groups, that attachment o adolescent peers fosters
nonconventional behaviour, and that the delinquent is unusually
likely to sacrifice his personal advantage to the ‘requirements of the
group’ are simply not supported by the data”
there are less consequences from peers than from school and
parents, they therefore have less sway
Commitment
oSupport of and participation in social activities that tie the individual to the
society’s moral or ethical code
oHas to do with mindset
oSocial activities enhance this
oIncludes vocational aspirations, educational expectations, and educational
aspirations
oFor examples, Iron John program in Ontario
College students mentor boys at risk in het community, provide
positive role models, and encourage conventional behaviour
Social bonds are thus created and reinforced
Involvement
oPreoccupation with activities that promote interests of society
oA person who is busy doing conventional things has little time for deviant
activities
oIf they’re busy, they don’t have time to be getting into trouble
oEx. Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs
Offer tutoring programs for children experiencing academic
difficulties
Volunteers are adults or high school students
Matches volunteers with one student for a full school year
Beliefs
oConsists of an assent to the society’s value system
oThe value system of any society entails respect for its laws and for the
people and institutions that enforce them
oHowever, if people do not believe laws are fair, their bond to society
weakens, and the probability that they will commit a delinquent act
increases
oIn 2002, 15 communities in NB had teen curfews
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Focuses on techniques and strategies that regulate human behaviours and lead to conformity, or obedience to: society"s rules, the influence of family and school, religious beliefs, moral values, friends, beliefs about government. Belief systems, rather than specific guide what people do and universally serve to control behavior. Conceptualized as representing practically any phenomenon that leads to conformity. Basically, any mechanism by which society regulates its members. Defines what is considered deviant behaviour, what is right or wrong, and what is a violation of the law. Includes laws, norms, customs, mores, ethics, and etiquette. Youths who have formed a signifigant attatchments to a parent refrain from delinquency because the consequences of such an act might jeopardize that relationship: to school. Academic incompetence poor school performance dislike of school rejection of teachers and administrators as authorities delinquency: to peers. Attachment to parents and school overshadowa the bond formed with peers.
