Hirschi's Social Control Theory Analysis

The theoretical roots of the social control model stem from the functionalist perspective. We start by looking at how social disorganization leads to delinquency and criminal behaviors. This occurs because of the breakdown in social controls and a lack of ones internalization of norms governing appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. Hirschi’s social control theory proposes that delinquents fail to form or maintain a bond to society consisting of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Some of these factors come from the measures of social class and ability. The rules of society is produced by socialization and maintained by ties to people and institutions to family members, friends, schools, and jobs (Friedman, 1988). Simply stated,

Belief is the acceptance of the moral validity of the central social-value system (Wiatrowski, 1981). There is a societal set of values that people are supposed to abide by in order to be successful and to fit in with the American way of life. Deviants tend to recognize the set of values but they do not feel compelled to abide by them due to their lack of belief or weakened social bond (Wiatrowski, 1981). Individuals who grew up thinking society was black and white feel as if they need to rebel against what they believe is a societal norm to properly internalize the expectation of their actions. The deviant essentially is justifying the act to themselves before it occurs so they can violate the rule and maintains their belief in it at the same time (Hirschi, 1969). Levels of lower self-control give expectations to how one should act upon their beliefs about society and the community around

Psychopaths and sociopaths are often able to manage their condition and pass as ordinary citizens. Biological and genetic factors separate these individuals because of social learning and family ties. The social expectations are to be abided by but beliefs, attachment, involvement and commitment can lead someone with mental illnesses in a different direction. The inability to be social or abide by societal rules can cause conflict and lead to harmful situations. In many ways the sociopath deals with the loss of community and do not abide by societal norms. Contemporary approaches to psychopathy and sociopathic behavior have focused on biological and genetic causes (Kennedy, 1991). This can lead a person to have a mental breakdown and act unexpectedly in criminal behaviors that are life threatening to the ones around