SOC-3340 Lecture 2: SOC section 1.2 notes
8 Mar 2017
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Social control theory: model of law: consensus. The law reflects the values of society: behavior is not relative, impulses toward crime are natural (not motivated) We are all born with the capacity to commit crime. People are free to commit crimes when their bonds to society are weakened or broken. Types of bonds: attachment to conventional others, commitment to conventional lines of action, involvement in conventional activities, belief in the single moral order. All elements of the bond to society vary on a continuum: where someone falls on the continuum influences the likelihood of committing a crime. Attachment: comes through close relationships to people like parents, teachers, and your friends, the fear of disappointing those to whom you are attached, prevents you from committing crime. Involvement: idle hands are the devil"s workshop , time and energy are limited; if you are involved in things you have less time to commit crime.
