HIRSCHI’S SOCIAL BONDING THEORY
(30 MARKS)
Shortly refer to the assumptions of Hirschi’s theory.
Discuss the four elements in detail, include practical examples.
Include an evaluation, the three bullets on p. 123 will suffice.
NOTE: This summary is NOT to be handed in as an assignment. If you do this, your
assignment will be rejected due to plagiarism – this essay contains extensive quotes from
the study guide as it is meant for exam revision only.
,HIRSCHI’S SOCIAL BONDING THEORY
(30 MARKS)
1. Introduction
In 1967, Travis Hirschi proposed that delinquency and crime are unavoidable, and are a part
of normal behaviour. The factors that prevent people from engaging in delinquency need to
be identified – we must explain why people obey rules, and not why they break them.
2. Definition
Elements of social bonding include attachment to families, commitment to social norms and
institutions (school, employment), involvement in activities, and the belief that these things
are important.
3. Assumptions
Hirschi ascribes delinquent behaviour to a weak bond with society. Human behaviour is self-
centred, and therefore it has to be controlled.
Society’s rules and regulations constitute the moral order. A person bonds with the moral
order of society through socialisation and social institutions. People’s behaviour reflect
differing degrees of morality. The power of internalised norms, a person’s conscience, and
the desire for approval encourage law-abiding behaviour. When social bonds get slack, self-
interest triumphs and crime is committed.
4. Elements of the social bond
4.1. Attachment
A young person’s degree of attachment to significant others or institutions may inhibit
deviant behaviour. Attachment is important in creating conformity. A good test of conformity
is to ask juveniles whether it matters what their parents think of them. According to Hirschi,
psychopaths’ attachment to society is virtually non-existent.
Interpersonal conflict can create hostility (leading to aggression), and weaken attachment to
society.
, 4.2. Commitment
Commitment represents a person’s existing investment in conventional society. Examples
include having a good reputation among friends, or establishing a business in the community.
Abiding by the rules of society helps retain/enhance status in society.
Hirschi assumes that society is organised in such a way that the interests of the majority will
be at risk if they commit crime. For example, most people would not risk their employment
or good reputation in the community in order to commit petty theft. In South Africa, with
high unemployment, housing shortages, and cultural conflict, this commitment does not exist,
which explains our high crime rate.
4.3. Involvement
Involvement represents the amount of activity, time, and energy available for conventional or
unconventional behaviour. More involvement in conventional activities (for example sport or
chess club) leaves less time for unconventional activities (for example vandalism and other
forms of delinquency). Participation in recreational activities increases conformity.
4.4. Belief
Belief is the recognition that society’s rules are legitimate. A person with this belief respects
society’s rules and norms and feels morally obliged to obey them. The more a person believes
in behaving properly, the more likely it is that he/she will conform.
Control theory assumes the presence of a communal value system within a society/group. A
person who disobeys the rules or departs from social norms by committing crime may well
accept those rules and realise that his/her behaviour is wrong. However, he/she has no respect
for the rules and simply does not care.
5. Evaluation
Social control theory is amenable to empirical examination. Hirschi could test his theory on a
population of adolescents. Concepts such as “attachment to parents” and “involvement in
school” are clearly defined and measurable.
Social control theory has given us valuable insights into delinquent behaviour. The
importance of the intrafamily relationship has been substantiated.
Researchers are increasingly using this theory to develop integrated theories of delinquent
behaviour.
(30 MARKS)
Shortly refer to the assumptions of Hirschi’s theory.
Discuss the four elements in detail, include practical examples.
Include an evaluation, the three bullets on p. 123 will suffice.
NOTE: This summary is NOT to be handed in as an assignment. If you do this, your
assignment will be rejected due to plagiarism – this essay contains extensive quotes from
the study guide as it is meant for exam revision only.
,HIRSCHI’S SOCIAL BONDING THEORY
(30 MARKS)
1. Introduction
In 1967, Travis Hirschi proposed that delinquency and crime are unavoidable, and are a part
of normal behaviour. The factors that prevent people from engaging in delinquency need to
be identified – we must explain why people obey rules, and not why they break them.
2. Definition
Elements of social bonding include attachment to families, commitment to social norms and
institutions (school, employment), involvement in activities, and the belief that these things
are important.
3. Assumptions
Hirschi ascribes delinquent behaviour to a weak bond with society. Human behaviour is self-
centred, and therefore it has to be controlled.
Society’s rules and regulations constitute the moral order. A person bonds with the moral
order of society through socialisation and social institutions. People’s behaviour reflect
differing degrees of morality. The power of internalised norms, a person’s conscience, and
the desire for approval encourage law-abiding behaviour. When social bonds get slack, self-
interest triumphs and crime is committed.
4. Elements of the social bond
4.1. Attachment
A young person’s degree of attachment to significant others or institutions may inhibit
deviant behaviour. Attachment is important in creating conformity. A good test of conformity
is to ask juveniles whether it matters what their parents think of them. According to Hirschi,
psychopaths’ attachment to society is virtually non-existent.
Interpersonal conflict can create hostility (leading to aggression), and weaken attachment to
society.
, 4.2. Commitment
Commitment represents a person’s existing investment in conventional society. Examples
include having a good reputation among friends, or establishing a business in the community.
Abiding by the rules of society helps retain/enhance status in society.
Hirschi assumes that society is organised in such a way that the interests of the majority will
be at risk if they commit crime. For example, most people would not risk their employment
or good reputation in the community in order to commit petty theft. In South Africa, with
high unemployment, housing shortages, and cultural conflict, this commitment does not exist,
which explains our high crime rate.
4.3. Involvement
Involvement represents the amount of activity, time, and energy available for conventional or
unconventional behaviour. More involvement in conventional activities (for example sport or
chess club) leaves less time for unconventional activities (for example vandalism and other
forms of delinquency). Participation in recreational activities increases conformity.
4.4. Belief
Belief is the recognition that society’s rules are legitimate. A person with this belief respects
society’s rules and norms and feels morally obliged to obey them. The more a person believes
in behaving properly, the more likely it is that he/she will conform.
Control theory assumes the presence of a communal value system within a society/group. A
person who disobeys the rules or departs from social norms by committing crime may well
accept those rules and realise that his/her behaviour is wrong. However, he/she has no respect
for the rules and simply does not care.
5. Evaluation
Social control theory is amenable to empirical examination. Hirschi could test his theory on a
population of adolescents. Concepts such as “attachment to parents” and “involvement in
school” are clearly defined and measurable.
Social control theory has given us valuable insights into delinquent behaviour. The
importance of the intrafamily relationship has been substantiated.
Researchers are increasingly using this theory to develop integrated theories of delinquent
behaviour.
