Other
CMY3701 SSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2 - 2022 (775887)
- Institution
- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
- Book
- Criminology
CMY3701 SSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2 - 2022 UNIQUE NUMBER:
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
Content preview
CMY3701 ASSIGNMENT 1SEMESTER 2 - 2022
UNIQUE NUMBER: 775887
,Assignment Question:
Social control theory is of the view that people commit crime when the forces that bind
them to society are weakened or broken. Critically discuss Hirschi’s social bonding theory.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
2. Definitions of Key Concepts …………………………………………………………………………. 3
3. Discussion: Hirschi’s Social Bonding theory ………………………………………………….. 3-8
4. Contribution of the social bonding theory ……………………………………………………. 8
5. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
6. List of references …………………………………………………………………………………………. 10
1
, 1. Introduction:
It's believed that morality is the overarching facet that keeps society running smoothly, but
American criminologist, Travis Hirschi, believed there is a more nuanced answer stemming
from relationships within one's community. Hirschi felt that people were inherently self-
interested, meaning they would enact behaviors that benefited them, including keeping out
of trouble to ensure they could continue the life path they were traveling.
From this notion, Hirschi developed the social bond theory, also known as the social
bonding theory or social control theory. Hirschi's social bond theory seeks to explain why
most people refrain from crime versus engaging in criminal activities based on the premise
that people instinctually form social bonds. These social bonds become an unwritten
contract that keeps society running smoothly by the people within the community adhering
to social standards, avoiding the fate of losing a job, disappointing friends and family, and
jail time.
While sociology looks at human behavior from an outside perspective, the subset of
criminology seeks answers to why humans enact specific criminal behaviors. This ''why''
became the basis of Hirschi's social bond theory, as he wanted to know if he could predict
who would be more likely to engage in criminal activity. The social bond theory definition
encompasses the why of social bonds, but there are also nuanced elements within the
bonds, as such. From his premise of social bonding, Hirschi developed the categorization of
four elements he felt defined and described the social bonds that played a role in human
behavior in relation to illegal acts.
In this essay, I will be discussing Hirschi’s Social Bonding theory; while highlighting its
contribution to criminology.
2
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Masters. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R50,00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
81298 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy summaries for 14 years now