Control theory in sociology is the idea that two control systems—inner controls and outer controls—work against our tendencies to deviate. Control theory can either be classified as centralized or decentralized. Decentralized control is considered market control. Centralized control is considered bureaucratic control. Some types of control such as clan control are considered to be a mixture of both decentralized and centralized control.
Decentralized control or market control is typically maintained through factors such as price, competition, or market share. Centralized control such as bureaucratic control is typically maintained through administrative or hierarchical techniques such as creating standards or policies. An example of mixed control is clan control which has characteristics of both centralized and decentralized control. Mixed control or clan control is typically maintained by keeping a set of values and beliefs or norms and traditions.
Containment theory, as developed by Walter Reckless in 1973, states that behavior is caused not by outside stimuli, but by what a person wants most at any given time. According to the control theory, weaker containing social systems result in more deviant behavior.
Control theory stresses how weak bonds between the individuals and society free people to deviate or go against the norms, or the people who have weak ties would engage in crimes so they could benefit, or gain something that is to their own interest. This is where strong bonds make deviance more costly. Deviant acts appear attractive to individuals but social bonds stop most people from committing the acts. Deviance is a result of extensive exposure to certain social situations where individuals develop behaviors that attract them to avoid conforming to social norms. Social bonds are used in control theory to help individuals from pursuing these attractive deviations.
According to Travis Hirschi, humans are selfish beings, who make decisions based on which choice will give the greatest benefit. A good example of control theory would be that people go to work. Most people do not want to go to work, but they do, because they get paid, to obtain food, water, shelter, and clothing.
Hirschi (1969) identifies four elements of social bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.[2]
^Martin, Asher (March 11, 2010). Control Theory Flow Chart 2012-03-04 at the Wayback Machine.
^Hirschi, Travis (1969). Causes of Delinquency. University of California Press. ISBN978-0-520-01901-0.
References
Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, Richard Appelbaum, and Deborah Carr. Introduction To Sociology. Seventh . New York City: W.W. Norton & Company, 2009. 182. Print.
Hamlin, John. "A Non-Causal Explanation: Containment Theory Walter C. Reckless." 2001. University of Minnesota, Web. 5 Mar 2010. <>.
O'Grady, William. Crime in a Canadian Context. 2011. Toronto: Oxford University press. Print.
Henslin, James M. Sociology: A Down-To-Earth Approach. Nine ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2008. Print.
External links
January 07, 2023
control, theory, sociology, control, theory, sociology, idea, that, control, systems, inner, controls, outer, controls, work, against, tendencies, deviate, control, theory, either, classified, centralized, decentralized, decentralized, control, considered, mar. Control theory in sociology is the idea that two control systems inner controls and outer controls work against our tendencies to deviate Control theory can either be classified as centralized or decentralized Decentralized control is considered market control Centralized control is considered bureaucratic control Some types of control such as clan control are considered to be a mixture of both decentralized and centralized control Control theory diagram 1 Decentralized control or market control is typically maintained through factors such as price competition or market share Centralized control such as bureaucratic control is typically maintained through administrative or hierarchical techniques such as creating standards or policies An example of mixed control is clan control which has characteristics of both centralized and decentralized control Mixed control or clan control is typically maintained by keeping a set of values and beliefs or norms and traditions Containment theory as developed by Walter Reckless in 1973 states that behavior is caused not by outside stimuli but by what a person wants most at any given time According to the control theory weaker containing social systems result in more deviant behavior Control theory stresses how weak bonds between the individuals and society free people to deviate or go against the norms or the people who have weak ties would engage in crimes so they could benefit or gain something that is to their own interest This is where strong bonds make deviance more costly Deviant acts appear attractive to individuals but social bonds stop most people from committing the acts Deviance is a result of extensive exposure to certain social situations where individuals develop behaviors that attract them to avoid conforming to social norms Social bonds are used in control theory to help individuals from pursuing these attractive deviations According to Travis Hirschi humans are selfish beings who make decisions based on which choice will give the greatest benefit A good example of control theory would be that people go to work Most people do not want to go to work but they do because they get paid to obtain food water shelter and clothing Hirschi 1969 identifies four elements of social bonds attachment commitment involvement and belief 2 Contents 1 See also 2 Notes 3 References 4 External linksSee also EditSocial control theoryNotes Edit Martin Asher March 11 2010 Control Theory Flow Chart Archived 2012 03 04 at the Wayback Machine Hirschi Travis 1969 Causes of Delinquency University of California Press ISBN 978 0 520 01901 0 References EditGiddens Anthony Mitchell Duneier Richard Appelbaum and Deborah Carr Introduction To Sociology Seventh New York City W W Norton amp Company 2009 182 Print Hamlin John A Non Causal Explanation Containment Theory Walter C Reckless 2001 University of Minnesota Web 5 Mar 2010 lt https web archive org web 20110604223724 http www d umn edu cla faculty jhamlin 2311 Reckless html gt O Grady William Crime in a Canadian Context 2011 Toronto Oxford University press Print Henslin James M Sociology A Down To Earth Approach Nine ed Boston Allyn and Bacon 2008 Print External links EditControl Theory Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Control theory sociology amp oldid 1121983727, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
