What is Travis Hirschi’s Social Control Theory?

Originally titled "Social Bond Theory", this framework of
thought was developed in 1969 by Travis Hirschi with the purpose of trying to extract
the variables that contribute in the people's decision to become law-abiding
citizens. 

The reason why it was once known as a "social
bond" is because the original theory suggested that criminal activity is the product of
a lack of meaningful connection with society. Basically, that people break the law
because they have lost respect, appreciation or their sense of belonging toward
society. 

Upon further analysis, the theory became referred
to as "social control" theory based on 

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a perspective which predicts that when social
constraints on antisocial behavior are weakened or absent, delinquent behavior
emerges.

Hence, it is not so
much the lacking "bond" that motivates breaking the law, but the lack of control that
one has over the environment, society, and our own conditions. When we feel that we
cannot control a situation, we revert to primitive practices of instant gratification
and take the risk of suffering the consequences of our
actions. 

Hirschi further offers how it is that people
become involved with society in a way that they can feel in control. He proposed that
there are four connectors:  a) attachment, b) belief, c) commitment, and d)
involvement. 

The attachment comes as the result of our
daily dynamics and interaction with the environment that surrounds us. Our attachment to
friends, family, colleagues, co-workers, and other like-minded people makes us more
connected to the world in which we live. 

Our beliefs
 consist on our system of values, religious background, or any other connection to
something that we consider worthy of deep respect; something sacred that should not be
tampered with. When we choose to act "like good Christians" or "according to the
teachings of ______" we are using our beliefs as the mitigator between good and bad
behavior. 

The commitment consists on the personal ethos by
which we individually abide. For example, following the Ten Commandments, abiding by the
military code of honor, abiding by the rules of the state, by the Constitution, or
whatever ethical principle makes us act in a rightful way shows our commitment to that
principle. 

Involvement is an interesting concept within
the theory because it basically shows that, once and individual is engaged in meaningful
activity, the chances of committing a crime greatly diminish. This is why youth sports
and after school activities are so highly-encouraged in academic and community
settings. 

Conclusively, the social control
theory entails that once we are able to interact with our environment positively, and we
feel power over what surrounds us, we automatically move away from antisocial and
criminal behaviors that hinder our personal growth.