Review of Hirsch (1969)

1. Review of Hirsch (1969) • What is a “pure” control theory? • How is this different from other theories? • What kind of control does the “social bond theory” emphasize? • Why? • What are the elements of the bond?

2. Social Support • This is Cullen’s pet theory—his article is in the end of your book • Social Support Matters • As a “precondition” of informal control • As an alternative explanation of why “marriage” or “parental attachment” are important

3. A General Theory of CrimeGottfredson and Hirschi (1990) “OOPS” -Travis Hirschi

4. Another “Classic” • Start their theory with a statement of the “nature of crime” • Compare control vs. other theories (rehash of stuff we’ve discussed) • Attempt to explain the “stability” of antisocial behavior • “Heterotypic continuity”

5. The Nature of Crime and Criminals Criminal Acts… Provide immediate gratification of desires Are risky/thrilling Are easy/simple Require little skill/planning Provide few/meager long term benefits Result in pain/discomfort to a victim Criminals are therefore… Impulsive Risk-taking Physical (as opposed to mental) Low verbal ability Short-sighted Insensitive

6. Low Self-Control • The cluster of traits (impulsive, insensitive…) tend to come together in people • They are present before “crime” • They tend to persist through life • Personality? • G&H argue against this--LSC doesn’t “require crime” • But, “well within the meaning of personality”

7. Causes of Low Self-Control • We are all born without self-control • Self Control is established in early childhood (age 8) • Causes must be in early childhood • Parents failure to supervise, recognize, punish • Straight from Patterson, but no role for “positive learning” (positive reinforcement) • “What parent kind of parent would train their kids to be delinquent?” • Biology? Infants might differ on “impulsiveness or verbal ability…but all can be socialized • Is this a cop out? ADHD?

8. Implications of Low Self-Control • The sole cause of crime and “analogous behaviors” • All Crime? • “Analogous Behaviors?” • Explains “stability” of criminality • Low self-control is stable over time • What does this mean for Hirschi’s social bonds?

9. 2 Explanations (Social Selection & Social Causation) Social Bonds Low Self Control Crime Pure Social Selection Poverty, Delinquent Peers, Social Bonds, Neighborhood Low Self Control Crime

10. Empirical Support • Tautology Problems • Only if self control inferred from“behavioral measures” (e.g., delinquency) • Attitudinal measures • I would rather read a book than engage in physical activities. • I tend to be value the “here and now” and do not like to plan my life.

11. Empirical Support • Moderate to strong relationship • With delinquency, crime, and “analogous behaviors” (smoking cigs, driving fast) • Among the strongest predictors of crime • Similar strength regardless of who is tested (male/female, etc) • BUT: • Controlling for low self-control weakens, but doesn’t eliminate “social” causation • In other words, it appears as though low self-control is not the sole cause of crime • Are white collar offenders different from “street” offenders? (Some evidence they are)

12. Policy Implications • Low self-control stable after age 8 • Only “early prevention” can reduce crime • Train parents, support parents?? • Hirschi pessimistic about this • BUT, that is the whole point of Patterson’s work • Typical “rehabilitation” won’t reduce crime • Changing “bonds” won’t reduce crime

13. REIVEW • Central Concepts • Empirical Support? • Scope? • Parsimony?

14. Criticisms • Why do people desist from criminal activity? • Not the “sole” cause of crime • Bonds still more important? • Social learning measures still important • Old wine in a new bottle? (Single Factor?) • Parenting sole cause of self-control? • Traditional Rehabilitation won’t work? • Trait vs. “Cognitive Skill”