Thus, less deviance occurs when there are strong social bonds between the individual and society. Proper socialization during childhood leads to formation of strong bonds between the individual and his family and society. Since deviance is a result of exposure to certain social situations over a long period of time where the individual develops behaviour which leads him adopt to non-conforming attitudes, proximity to family and society becomes all the more important.
Thus, weak bonds between the individual and society lead to deviant tendencies, which result in crimes. A good example of Control Theory, according to Hirschi, is people going to work. It is a known fact that most people do not like to work.
However, if they do not work, they will not get an income which will sustain them. Thus, people go to work to earn an income. However, if they do not have an income or a job, they will deviate towards crimes like theft and robbery to sustain them. Control Theory, despite its popularity, has come under a plethora of critiques.
Opponents of the theory say that it is too simplified and linear. Mere lack of socialization during childhood cannot explain deviant tendencies. Crimes are committed by individuals who have families and are part of society. It is not just petty criminals who commit crimes. The cruise control device is referred to as the controller in the system. More information on cruise control. Control theory is thus closely linked to engineering and technology , which has been its traditional sphere of influence, dating back several centuries.
For example, in the 18th century the invention of the regulator for a steam engine, a type of control mechanism, had a significant impact on industrial development in Europe.
The development of the mathematical theory of control, however, began much later and has taken place mainly during the past 60 years. In the second half of the 20th century, control theory played a major role in many technological advances , for example:.
More information on man-made systems. On the other hand, it is being increasingly recognized that control theory plays an important role in biology. Indeed many aspects of the human body illustrate the role of control in a biological system. For example, our sense of balance depends on feedback. Moreover, control theory is met with some resistance for its compliance to a conservative view of the broader social order. From a control theory perspective, children who are properly bonded to their parents would be involved in less crime than children who have weaker parental bonds; control theory assumes that the family is a naturally law-abiding institution.
Learning Objectives Identify the central assumption of control theory. Key Points Control theory advances the proposition that weak bonds between the individual and society allow people to deviate. Establishing strong social bonds, such as family ties or close community groups, will prevent crime. According to Travis Hirschi, people will conform to a group when they believe they have more to gain from conformity than by deviance.
Decentralized control or market control is typically maintained through factors such as price, competition, or market share. Centralized control such as bureaucratic control is typically maintained through administrative or hierarchical techniques such as creating standards or policies.
Mixed control is typically maintained by keeping a set of values and beliefs or norms and traditions.
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