How would you respond: Control theory assumes that a lack or absence of social control and conformity is that cause for deviance.
How would you respond:
- Control theory assumes that a lack or absence of social control and conformity is that cause for deviance. Coming from Freudian ideas, Hirschi and Gottfredson believe that human beings have the ability to commit deviant acts similar to wild animals (Thio, Taylor, Schwartz p. 26). Three theories developed under the control theory, focused on social control and how lack of social control causes deviance, the literature notes social bond theory, self-control theory, and control balance. Hirschi stated four ways individuals bond to society that keep most individuals from utilizing our ability to be deviant. The four ways include attachment to conventional people and institutions, commitment to conformity, involvement in conventional activities, and belief in the moral validity of social rules (Thio, Taylor, Schwartz p. 27). If an individual lacks these bonds in one way or many ways, they are said to have a weaker sense of self-control and be more likely to be deviant. In the case of my own experiences working in residential treatment for juveniles, there were several students who had experienced significant trauma in their pasts that kept them from obtaining a bond with society, with family, with school activities, with any kind of trust into the system or the world.These students, prior to treatment, did not have a reason to have self-control or did not know what they were doing was deviant due to a lack of parenting or negative teachings of a guardian. I do not believe we have animalistic tendencies that need to be controlled, rather I agree with Hirschi in the way that we all have the ability to be deviant if we lack self control. Taking an individuals past into account and the time and place in which we are determining deviance are both factors that are important. In the culture these students grew up in, they were merely doing what they were taught to do or had to experience themselves.
- Social learning theory would assert that deviant behavior is learned through the observation of and interactions with others (Thio et al., p. 23). Differential association introduced by Sutherland asserts that people are more likely to become deviant if they associate with others that embrace deviant thoughts (Thio et al., p. 24). This theory is contingent on people having more social interaction with deviants and receiving more deviant ideas than anti-deviant (Thio et al., p. 24). Glaser’s differential identification theory suggests that people are more likely to engage in deviant behavior if they overly identify with deviants observed in real life or fiction (Thio et al., p. 24). Burgess and Akers assert that differential association requires differential reinforcement. Deviant behavior is the result of learning through association and being rewarded for the behavior (Thio et al., p. 25). The social forces necessary to support these theories include; family, friends, school, media, and entertainment. Association with family and friends with deviant ideas and behaviors can influence a person’s attitude about deviance (Thio et al., p. 26). Reinforcement occurs when the learned behavior is rewarded more often than punished, supporting replication of the deviant behavior (Thio et al., p. 26). Research supports that a person is likely to engage in deviant behavior when over identification with deviants occurs, although it doesn’t support that identification as the cause of deviance (Thio et al., p. 26). My field of work utilizes social learning theory to help identify and address criminogenic need areas for clients.Research in our field supports that association with criminal peers indicates a high likelihood of reoffending and a primary area in need of change. We try to teach skills around breaking ties with high risk peers and build strengths around positive pro-social supports. Our staff are trained in pro-social modeling and expected to reward positive behaviors. It is acknowledged that our clients are rewarded for anti-social behavior, therefore we attempt to teach that rewards are associated with pro-social behavior.