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Social Process Theory: Social Control Theory And Criminal Behavior

852 Words4 Pages

Social process theory, or the view that people’s everyday social interactions shape their behaviors, has several subdivisions including: social control theory, social learning theory and social reaction (labeling) theory (will only focus on social control theory). Social control theory insinuates every person has the possibility of becoming a criminal, but most people are influenced by their bonds to society. It contends that individuals obey the law and are less likely to commit crime if they have: learned self-control, attachment (to family, friends, peers, education, etc.), commitment (to school, learning, etc.), involvement (in leisure activities, sports, etc.), and belief (those that are positive). According to social control theory, an …show more content…

They are more prone to deviant activities, such as drinking or consuming drugs. Attachment to deviant peers and parents (such as drunks or drug takers) could lead to an increase in the prospect of criminal activities (i.e. the case for Aaron Hernandez). Also, “increases in adolescent behavior problems, such as substance abuse, may result in decreases in parental control and support, and not vice versa” (Siegel, 2011). These are only a few ways to question the cogency of social control theory, but these fallacies illustrate why social control theory is not the only response to crime (but it may be part of it much like rational choice and trait …show more content…

Founded by Karl Marx, conflict theory conjectures that social order is sustained through wealth and power and constant class conflict (subduing the poor by keeping them away from the limited resources). The resulting conflict and inequalities between the classes result in crime, according to Marx. Social conflict theorists use the criminal justice system to support their argument. The elite class passes laws to benefit themselves (and they are also judged differently, more leniently). OJ Simpson was able to get off for the murder of Nicole Brown (the court said “he didn’t do it,” but he was able to get off because of his wealth and famous lawyers). These benefits are not accessible to the proletariat class. Just like social control theory, conflict theory may explain some aspects of crime, but not the entire

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