18 Mar Explaining Delinquency Through Control Theories
This week we examine three closely related theories within the control tradition:
Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory
Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime (Self-Control Theory)
Hirschi’s Revised Self-Control Theory
Rather than summarizing the theories, this discussion asks you to analyze evidence from a case scenario and determine which theory best explains the behavior described.
Your task is to extract specific evidence from the scenario and connect it to theoretical concepts.
Scenario
Jordan is a 15-year-old high school student who recently began getting into trouble at school.
Over the past year:
Jordan’s grades have dropped from mostly B’s to mostly D’s.
He frequently skips classes and rarely completes assignments.
Teachers report that he often says school is “a waste of time.”
His parents recently divorced and neither parent closely monitors his activities.
Jordan spends most evenings hanging out with friends at a nearby park without adult supervision.
He and two friends were recently caught spray painting graffiti on the back of a grocery store.
When confronted, Jordan said:
“It’s not a big deal. The store can just paint over it.”
Teachers also report that Jordan is impulsive, easily bored, and often disrupts class for entertainment.
Initial Post (minimum 350 words)
Your response must include three sections.
Part 1: Evidence for Social Bond
Identify three specific pieces of evidence from the scenario that support Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory.
For each piece of evidence:
Quote or clearly describe the detail from the scenario.
Identify which element of the social bond it reflects (Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, Belief)
Explain how the weakened bond could contribute to delinquency.
Example structure (but in paragraph format):
Evidence: “Jordan says school is a waste of time.”
Theory connection: Weak belief in conventional norms.
Explanation: If individuals do not believe in the legitimacy of rules, they are less likely to follow them.
Part 2: Evidence for Self-Control
Identify two pieces of evidence from the scenario that suggest low self-control according to Gottfredson and Hirschi.
For each piece of evidence:
Quote or clearly describe the detail from the scenario.
Explain how it reflects characteristics of low self-control (e.g., impulsivity, risk-seeking, preference for simple tasks, short-term gratification).
Explain how low self-control could lead to delinquent behavior in this case.
This section will mirror what you did in part 1.
Part 3: Theory Evaluation
Using the criteria for evaluating theories from Chapter 1, answer the following:
Which theory provides the best explanation of Jordan’s behavior? Determine this by evaluating the theories using at least two of the following criteria:
Clarity of concepts
Testability/measurability
Empirical validity
Policy implications
Use the same two criteria for both theories. This will allow you to make an actual comparison. Explain your reasoning using both theoretical concepts and evidence from the scenario.
Part 4: Designing an Intervention
Imagine you are part of a school intervention team trying to help Jordan. Design one intervention based on social bond theory and one based on self-control theory.
For each intervention explain:
What the program would involve
Which theoretical mechanisms it targets
Why it should reduce delinquency according to the theory
Be specific. Avoid vague answers such as “increase supervision” or “teach discipline.”
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