Travis H\'s Theories Controlling Chaos:

Travis H's theories

Controlling chaos: The causes of juvenile delinquency and their remedies

In contrast to the psychological theories of criminality that tended to predominate when he first constructed his 'social disorganization' theory, Travis Hirschi instead emphasized the sociological role in the fostering of delinquent behavior. Hirschi stated that rather than asking 'why do people become criminals' a more relevant question was 'why do people NOT become criminals. His answer was the sense of social bonds and obligations that individuals feel towards others and to society. Once these barriers break down, people feel little compunction in transgressing them. "Hirschi contended that no motivational factors were necessary for one to become delinquent; the only requirement was the absence of control that allows the individual to be free to weigh the benefits of crime over the costs of those same delinquent acts" (Welch 1998). This sense of social breakdown was particularly acute in impoverished areas of the country.

However, in working in conjunction with Gottfredson, Hirschi substantially reformulated his thesis. His first thesis suggests that by 'shoring up' traditional institutions such as the church and community organizations, social order can be preserved. But his larger work with Gottfredson harkened back to older conceptions of criminal behavior, asserting the need to foster self-control in the individual: "the essential element of criminality is the absence of self-control. Persons with high self-control consider the long-term consequences of their behavior; those with low self-control do not. Such control is learned, usually early in life, and once learned, is highly resistant to change" (Gottfredson & Hirschi 2011). Individuals from less affluent backgrounds might be less apt to be taught such self-control, but all individuals, regardless of class, can be brought up in a background that does not foster self-control. When an individual's natural inclination has a poor locus of self-control, combined with disadvantaged circumstances (although not necessarily so), the result is often criminal behavior.

Matza and Sykes Neutralization Theory stresses the intellectual rationalizations that people make to justify criminal behavior, including juveniles 'from good homes' who lack the traditionally accepted profile of the majority of juveniles who commit crimes. "Neutralization is defined as a technique, which allows the person to rationalize or justify a criminal act. There are five techniques of neutralization; denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victim, condemnation of the condemners, and the appeal to higher loyalties" (David Matza, 1998, FSU).

These theories stress the need for strong social and personal control mechanisms to be instilled in young people early on in their lives, so that individuals have a strong super-ego to control their actions and thwart social influences that encourage a denial of personal responsibility and the reality of the victim's suffering. A good example of this is the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program run by law enforcement to encourage children not to use drugs. The law enforcement officials are supposed to present a positive image of the law to young people, and encourage youths to take responsibility for their actions and resist peer pressure to use drugs -- appealing to the 'higher loyalties' often absent amongst drug users, according to Matza and Sykes (David Matza, 1998, FSU).