Question 1

Control theories according to Hirschi assume that delinquent acts result when&#10;A) an individual's bond to society is weak or broken.&#10;B) parental control is lax.&#10;C) definitions favorable to law-breaking are present.&#10;D) social bonds have been replaced by agents of social control.

Accepted Answer

Hirschi's control theory posits that delinquency occurs when an individual's bonds to society (involvement, commitment, belief, and attachment) are weak or broken, leading to a decrease in the social controls that deter criminal behavior.

Question 2

Hirschi suggests that the internalization of norms by an individual represents&#10;A) attachment.&#10;B) integration.&#10;C) involvement.&#10;D) moral belief.

Accepted Answer

Hirschi's social control theory suggests that individuals are less likely to engage in deviant behavior when they are attached to others, integrated into society, involved in conventional activities, and have strong moral beliefs.

Question 3

Hirschi defines participation in conventional activities as&#10;A) ritual behavior.&#10;B) involvement.&#10;C) moral belief.&#10;D) compliance

Accepted Answer

Hirschi's Social Control Theory posits that strong bonds to society discourage deviance. Involvement, or participation in conventional activities, is one of the four elements he identifies as fostering these bonds, alongside attachment, commitment, and belief.

Question 4

Unlike cultural deviance theory, control theory assumes the existence of&#10;A) social integration.&#10;B) a shared value system.&#10;C) threats to social order.&#10;D) a system of social control.

Accepted Answer

Control theory assumes that individuals have a shared value system that guides behavior, and deviance occurs when social bonds are weakened, leading to a lack of conformity to these shared values.

Question 5

The concept of commitment assumes that&#10;A) most people are not deviant because they share the same value system.&#10;B) most people conform because they are well integrated.&#10;C) most people conform because of social attachment.&#10;D) most people are not deviant because they have too much to lose.

Accepted Answer

The concept of commitment suggests that individuals conform to societal norms and avoid deviant behavior primarily because they have investments (such as relationships, career, reputation) that they do not want to jeopardize. These investments or commitments act as a deterrent against engaging in actions that could lead to losing what they value.

Question 6

Discuss at least two elements of social bonds which Hirschi describes. Offer examples of each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss at least two elements of social...

Question 7

What do you find most interesting and/or compelling about Hirschi's control theory as an explanation of delinquency? Do you think it fully accounts for all aspects and all types of deviance, delinquency or crime? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What do you find most interesting and/or...

Question 8

Why does control theory assume that most people will act conventionally? Describe the kinds of rational decisions that individuals might make when committed to conventional lines of action such as higher education and occupational careers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why does control theory assume that most...

Deck 9: Control Theory