CRIM 104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Social Control Theory, Juvenile Delinquency, Émile Durkheim

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRIM 104
• Professor: Barry Cartwright

Document Summary

Part 1- the origins of social control theory. Origins of social control theory can be traced back to french sociologist emile durkheim. Du(cid:396)khei(cid:373)"s (cid:448)ie(cid:449) of hu(cid:373)a(cid:374) (cid:374)atu(cid:396)e (cid:449)as that individuals had aspirations and appetites that knew no natural bounds- without civilization, human would be unrestrained and lacking in moral standards. Durkheim believed that social controls were necessary if individuals were to understand the boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Essentially be believed there were no natural limits to human desires and ambitions: humans always want more money, food etc. There is nothing unique about criminal behaviour- motivation to engage in such behaviour is quite widespread. If you want conformity and social control, then you need effective socialization. If people do not learn to internalize social conventions or norms, then social controls will break down, or become weakened and ineffective. Shaw and mckay were amongst the forerunners of contemporary social control theory.