Questions and Answers
What does Travis Hirschi's Social Bond Theory assume?
That a person is naturally not good, and a person is free to commit delinquent acts because his or her ties to conventional order are broken.
What does Hirschi argue regarding conformists and the law?
The answer lies within social bonds: the intangible link between individuals and society.
How do people learn to break the law?
Through the process of socialization.
Four social bonds that promote socialization and conformity are: attachment, commitment, ______, and belief.
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What is attachment in the context of Hirschi's theory?
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What does commitment refer to in social bond theory?
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What does involvement mean in Hirschi's theory?
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What does belief refer to in the context of social bond theory?
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What are some problems with Hirschi's Social Bond Theory? (Select all that apply)
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Study Notes
Overview of Social Bond Theory
- The theory posits that individuals are inherently inclined towards delinquency unless social bonds are intact.
- Breakdowns in ties to societal norms facilitate opportunities for law-breaking behaviors.
Importance of Social Bonds
- Hirschi emphasizes social bonds as crucial to understanding conformity and adherence to rules.
- Social bonds are formed through socialization, linking individuals to their communities.
Mechanism of Learning Delinquency
- Law-breaking behavior is learned through interactions within a person's social environment, primarily during the socialization process.
Four Key Social Bonds
- Attachment: Measures the strength of emotional ties to parents, schools, and peers, influencing a person's sensitivity to the needs and perspectives of others.
- Commitment: Refers to the investment in conventional activities, strengthened by the fear of losing resources or opportunities.
- Involvement: Relates to the time and energy devoted to socially constructive activities, reducing the likelihood of delinquency.
- Belief: Involves agreement with societal values, including respect for laws and institutions, fostering compliance with societal norms.
Critiques of Social Bond Theory
- Measuring abstract concepts like attachment and commitment poses significant challenges.
- The theory lacks clarity in explaining the strength of social bonds, leaving questions about variance in individual experiences.
- Insufficient exploration of the origins and contributing factors to weak social bonds.
- Causal relationships are not well-supported, raising concerns about the validity of correlating weak bonds with delinquent behavior.
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Description
Explore Travis Hirschi's Social Bond Theory with this flashcard quiz. Understand key concepts such as the nature of individuals, the role of social bonds, and why some conform while others deviate from societal norms.
