CRIM 1650 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Travis Hirschi, Social Control Theory, Family Therapy

• School: York University
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRIM 1650
• Professor: James Williams

Document Summary

Sociological theories part 1 (week 6 oct. 18) Limitations of individual theories and the shift to sociological theories. Society rather than the individual is the appropriate unit of analysis: early 1800-1900: human nature was biology or psychology, located in society, society: collection of individuals (associated with emile durkheim) Sociological theories of crime focus on two key sets of variable: 1. Social processes: interactions with different relationships interpersonal relationships: 2. Social structures larger influence; the class system (inequality between rich and poor shaping criminal behaviour) According to social process theories, crime is a product of social processes (bonding, learning, labelling) rather than individual traits. These processes may discourage criminal behavior through the development of social bonds: or encourage/promote criminal behaviour through social learning and the imposition of deviant labels. Explaining how individuals become involved in crime is more important than accounting for their motivations. Social bond theory (social control theory) chapter 14 (travis hirschi, 1969) underlying principles.