Walter Reckless's Social Control Theory

Control Theory

While much of criminology looks at why people develop deviant patterns or commit crimes, social control theory looks at social patterns which contribute to self-control and therefore obeying the law. Walter Reckless developed a form of social control theory called containment theory, Containment theory explains how both psychological and social factors combine to prevent a person from committing a crime. Thus, if a young person believes that s/he is a good person, and holds a positive self-image, s/he is very unlikely to commit a crime. As a person grows up to understand and absorb social norms and values from the community and gains a sense of belonging through following these norms and values, s/he would be unlikely to commit a crime. According to this theory, crime is often seen to be the result of social alienation.

Hirschi expanded on this theory, looking at social bonds, and how these bonds enable an individual to cultivate a sense of both social and self-control. Hirschi looked at four different

Social Control Theory points out, for example, that alienation often results in crime, without questioning the social structures which would result in alienation, such as single mothers who work long hours, for low pay, in order to provide for a child. Further, Social Control Theory does not consider the values inherent within the educational system which may encourage a child to withdraw. Such values include a focus on achievement or academic success, which may leave some children marginalized. Lastly, this theory focuses on crime which occurs within disconnected contexts. White collar criminals, however, may be very connected to others and may even be married, and yet still choose to commit a