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Jeffrey Hirschi's Social Control Theory

1097 Words5 Pages

Hirschi presumed that the answer to his question is that individuals who are highly socially integrated, or have a strong bond to society, are less willing than others to exhibit criminal, delinquent or deviant behaviours due to the risk of negative repercussions (Costello, 2010). Among the most influential of these repercussions are the informal punishments, such as the disapproval of those whose opinions are valued, rather than the formal punishments administered by the criminal justice system (Costello, 2010). It is further outlined that there are four elements to social bond. The first element of social bond is known as attachment, referring to the level of sensitivity an individual is seen to exhibit in reference to the opinion of others …show more content…

According to social control theory, individuals conform to social norms based on their bond with society. Individuals who experience a strong bond with society characteristically display congruence with societal values and norms, while those who experience weak or broken bond with society characteristically deter from these values and norms. Utilizing the four elements of social bond, it is possible to explain the reasoning behind the criminal, deviant and delinquent behaviour exhibited by notorious serial killer and necrophiliac, Jeffrey …show more content…

Involved in the capture, torture and murder of 17 men and teenagers, Dahmer was more well known for his necrophilia, body dismemberment and cannibalistic activities. Utilizing Hirschi’s social control theory, it is possible to explain Dahmer’s criminal, deviant and delinquent activities as a product of his broken bond with society and its members. Lacking the four elements of social bond- attachment, commitment, involvement and belief- Dahmer exhibited behaviours that were incongruent to the morals, values and norms held by society. Thus, through the acknowledgement of his broken bonds with society, it is possible to understand why Jeffrey Dahmer was able to commit such disturbing

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