Social control theory and mechanisms

Social Control Theory

Carr, L.J. (1950). Organization for Delinquency Control.

Carr's work identifies three phases in the development of juvenile delinquency control, which correspond to the three phases of social development in the United States. The first is the pioneer-rural, primary-group phase, which entails a focus on the family unit to control juvenile delinquency. The home and neighborhood were close-knit communities that encouraged an adherence to a generally homogeneous set of rules and laws. The second phase was an urban, specialized individual-treatment phase, which developed in response to the gradual growth of cities and a concomitant phenomenon of urbanization. This created a broader community among persons who do not necessarily share common values. In such groups, peer pressure more easily leads to juvenile delinquency, which means that private and public agencies arose to protect individual children against delinquency and to assist those who fall prey to it. These agencies generally focused on individuals. The final phase was more integrated, recognizing that individuals are seldom delinquent without a long history of occurrences that led to the delinquency. Often, subcultures and antisocial cultures are important factors in encouraging delinquency among the youth. The focus here is therefore more on an integrated approach than an individual one.

Reiss, a.J. (1951). Delinquency as the failure of personal and social controls

Reiss also proposed one of the early control theories, which focused on the role of personal and social control in prohibiting delinquency. Personal control consisted of the individual's ability to abide by the law under pressures such as meeting their individual needs or the needs of their families, friends, and peer groups. In this theory, personal control is accepted to develop from childhood, subject to the influence of the family and later of the social sphere and peer group. Social controls, on the other hand, refers to the ability of groups or institutions in society to make rules and norms effective. The failure of these controls then led to delinquency. This theory then proposes that a combination of social and personal control failure leads to delinquency. Reiss does not give specific information regarding control mechanisms that would enhance the ability of groups and institutions to effectively enforce norms and rules.

Reckless, W.C. (1956). Self-concept as an Insulator against Delinquency

Reckless refines Reiss's theory into a more specific "containment" theory, which consisted of the function of an individual's self-conception. Containment occurs when the person's self-concept is sufficiently positive to insulate him or her from delinquency. This self-concept occurs on two levels; inner containment and outer containment. Inner containment then occurs internally, with the self-concept developed over an individual's lifetime. Outer containment occurs by means of social controls such as supervision or discipline. When the inner sense of self is highly positive, the outer containment tends to be more successful in preventing delinquency. The primary insulator against delinquency is therefore seen as the youth's self-concept itself, while external containment factors serves as reinforcement. On the other hand, excessively negative external factors could also lead to delinquency, despite a positive self-concept in the individual.

Toby, J. (1957). Social Disorganization and stake in Conformity

Toby makes the concept of self and its influence on the likelihood of delinquency even more specific by focusing on the likelihood of the youth to be recruited successfully by gangs. According to Toby, a young person's conventional social connections and commitments is the main element in this likelihood. A lack of such connections, for example, means that the young person does not have much to lose when affiliating with gangs and becoming delinquent. On the other hand, young persons who are connected with conventional social institutions and commitments are less likely to become delinquent gang members. This is what the author refers to as "stakes in conformity," where many such stakes mean that a person is anchored firmly in social convention and therefore unlikely to seek delinquent activities as substitute for the lack of stability.

Hirschi, T. (1969) Causes of Delinquency

Hirschi is considered one of the most important social control theorists of the 20th century as a result of this publication, which created significant developments from past manifestations of the theory. One of the main premises of Hirschi's version of social control theory is the contrasts between conceptions of culture, the role of ambition, and the role of peers.

Three crucial contrasts involved conceptions of culture, the role of ambition, and the role of peers. The dynamic of these three elements within the individual and externally in his or her social sphere can then be said to encourage or discourage delinquency. This theory is much more complex than the relatively simple theories that evolved up to the time of its publication.