Download A General Theory of Crime Gottfredson and Hirschi and more Slides Criminology in PDF only on Docsity! Review of Hirsch (1969) What is a “pure” control theory? How is this different from other theories? What kind of control does the “social bond theory” emphasize? Why? What are the elements of the bond? Social Support This is Cullen’s pet theory—his article is in the end of your book Social Support Matters As a “precondition” of informal control As an alternative explanation of why “marriage” or “parental attachment” are important The Nature of Crime and Criminals Criminal Acts… Provide immediate gratification of desires Are risky/thrilling Are easy/simple Require little skill/planning Provide few/meager long term benefits Result in pain/discomfort to a victim Criminals are therefore… Impulsive Risk-taking Physical (as opposed to mental) Low verbal ability Short-sighted Insensitive Low Self-Control The cluster of traits (impulsive, insensitive…) tend to come together in people They are present before “crime” They tend to persist through life Personality? G&H argue against this--LSC doesn’t “require crime” But, “well within the meaning of personality” Causes of Low Self-Control We are all born without self-control Self Control is established in early childhood (age 8) Causes must be in early childhood Parents failure to supervise, recognize, punish Straight from Patterson, but no role for “positive learning” (positive reinforcement) “What parent kind of parent would train their kids to be delinquent?” Biology? Infants might differ on “impulsiveness or verbal ability…but all can be socialized Is this a cop out? ADHD? Empirical Support Tautology Problems Only if self control inferred from“behavioral measures” (e.g., delinquency) Attitudinal measures I would rather read a book than engage in physical activities. I tend to be value the “here and now” and do not like to plan my life. Empirical Support Moderate to strong relationship With delinquency, crime, and “analogous behaviors” (smoking cigs, driving fast) Among the strongest predictors of crime Similar strength regardless of who is tested (male/female, etc) BUT: Controlling for low self-control weakens, but doesn’t eliminate “social” causation In other words, it appears as though low self-control is not the sole cause of crime Are white collar offenders different from “street” offenders? (Some evidence they are) Policy Implications Low self-control stable after age 8 Only “early prevention” can reduce crime Train parents, support parents?? Hirschi pessimistic about this BUT, that is the whole point of Patterson’s work Typical “rehabilitation” won’t reduce crime Changing “bonds” won’t reduce crime
