Travis Hirschi Social Bonds Travis Hirschis social bonding

Travis Hirschi Social Bonds Travis Hirschi’s social bonding theory may be the most popular criminological theory today. First presented in 1969, Hirschi questioned why people do not commit crime. Hirschi theorized that crime is more common among individuals with weakened bonds to societal institutions. Copyright © 2007 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Social Bond Theory Developed by Travis Hirschi n Theory: n n n Travis Hirschi n Assumes that all people have the capacity to be delinquent Preventing most people from engaging in delinquency is a “bonding” to conventional society Hirschi identifies 4 elements to the social bond

Social Bond Theory Travis Hirschi n Attachment refers to a person’s sensitivity to and interest in others. n Attachment: to parents, teachers, peers - Attachment to parents is the most important - affection deters criminal activities - Strength depends on the depth and quality of parent-child interaction

Social Bond Theory Travis Hirschi n Commitment involves the time, energy, and effort expended in conventional lines of action, such as getting an education and saving money for the future. n Commitment: to conventional lines of action. - vocational aspirations, educational expectations and aspirations

Social Bond Theory Travis Hirschi n n Heavy involvement in conventional activities leaves little time for illegal behavior. Involvement: with activities that promote the interests of society - A busy person doing conventional things has little time for deviant activities.

Social Bond Theory Travis Hirschi People who live in the same social settings often share common moral beliefs; they may adhere to such values as sharing, sensitivity to rights of others, and admiration for the legal code. n Belief: consists of assent to the society’s value system - respect of its laws and for the people and institutions that enforce them.

Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 5/e Steven E. Barkan 8 Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2006,

The Social Bond

Testing Social Bond Theory n Hirschi’s Supporting Research q q q q Youths who were strongly attached to their parents were less likely to commit criminal acts. Commitment to conventional values, such as striving to get a good education and refusing to drink alcohol and “cruise around, ” was indicative of conventional behavior. Youths involved in conventional activity, such as homework, were less likely to engage in criminal behavior. Youths involved in unconventional behavior, such as smoking and drinking, were more delinquency prone. Youths who maintained weak and distant relationships with people tended toward delinquency. Those who shunned unconventional acts were attached to their peers. Delinquents and nondelinquents shared similar beliefs about society.

Social Bonding Theory – Physical and sexual abuse are thought to contribute to delinquency – Children of teen mothers at higher risk – Poor grades and negative attitudes about teachers more likely to be delinquent – Religiosity helps prevent delinquency/criminal behavior? Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 5/e Steven E. Barkan 11 Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2006, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved

Social Bonding Theory – Sociodemographic Factors and Social Bond Theory • Gender; girls less delinquent than boys because of attachment to family and school • Race and Class; inconsistent findings in research; Asian-Americans traditionally have stronger bonds; social class and parental discipline • Age; bonding theory helps explain why criminality decreases as we age out of adolescence Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 5/e Steven E. Barkan 12 Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2006, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved

Social Bonding Theory • Evaluation of theory – Relationship between social bonding and delinquency pretty weak – Explains minor offending more so than serious offending – Causal order – Difficult to distinguish between commitment and involvement Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 5/e Steven E. Barkan 13 Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2006, 2001, 1997 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458 • All rights reserved

Testing Social Bond Theory n Opposing Views q q q Friendship Not all elements of the bond are equal Deviant peers and parents Restricted in scope Changing bonds Crime and social bonds