Comparing Social Control Theory to Conflict Theory - Literature review Example

Comparing Social Control Theory to Conflict Theory al Affiliation Comparing Conflict Theory to Social Control Theory Introduction Criminological theories have for a long time undergone a series of paradigm change as a result of continuous sociological research by different researchers. The continuous shifts in research in this field is because sociological researchers do not share a common perspective but only share certain given premises such as the premise that an individual’s background affects their attitude, behavior, and character. The general theory of self-control associates deviance and crime to a lack of self-control and the attractive nature of certain crimes. Two main theories help to further exploitatively illustrate this theory. Social Control Theory This theory was developed by Travis Hirschi, to illustrate the occurrence of crime and deviance in the society. The social control theory postulates that deviance occurs due to weakening of the existing social bonds between an individual and the society (Hirschi, 2002, 23). According to this theory, individuals find it easy to internalize social norms and values due to their attachment to the society and other individuals. Individuals are always mindful of what the society thinks and says about them and, therefore, this pushes them to conform to the societal norms in order to gain acceptance in the society. This makes them ascribe to the set norms and values. Social control theory as a development of the functionalist approach puts great emphasis on socialization and its role in enhancing conformity to the societal norms (Pratt & Cullen, 2000, 64). When this bond that binds the individual to the society is broken, deviance is the outcome. This theory explains that most individuals always have the urge to commit crimes and deviate from the norms but the attachment with the society prevents them from deviating. So when this bond breaks, the individuals easily fall to criminal activities. This clearly explains why children who do not have parental control easily get involved in criminal activities (Gottfredson & Hirschi, 1990, 103). Another instance in which we see the weakening of social bonds resulting to deviance is in a town with an uncontrolled population that easily move in and out. In this kind of set up, the social bond is very weak, and any individual easily gets caught up in crime. Conflict Theory This theory was developed by Karl Marx, and it puts its emphasis on the social class differences caused but the inequality in the distribution of resources as the cause of deviance in the society. This theory views the dominating class in the society as taking over all the resources while setting policies that defends and protects their acquired resources while the weaker class of individuals is left at the mercies of the privileged individuals in the society (Grant & Martinez, 1997, 87). In this case, the individuals with little or no access to resources are left with no alternative but to engage in deviance criminal behaviors for survival. This explains why the societal structure exposes certain individuals to deviance while protecting others. The conflict perspective views deviance as a function of power relations and inequalities. Because of the economic disparity, the high-class individuals also have the ability to commit crimes and go unnoticed as compared to their counterparts in the low class who have to pay for the crimes they commit (Andersen & Taylor, 2007, 92). As a result of this, the low-class individuals receive the constant label of criminals because of their status. According to this theory, social control is very significant in the management of deviance and crime. This can be done by causing individuals to conform to the commonly ascribed norms and values. Comparison of Conflict Theory to Social Control Theory When comparing social control theory to conflict theory, one commonality shared by these theoretical perspectives is the facts that both argue in support of both emphasize in maintaining law and order in the society. Both of them are seen to be working in favor of maintaining law and order for mutual existence of individuals in the society, the theories help to set the rules and regulations that are meant to monitor individual behavior while setting specific standards for the same. These standards aim to cause individuals to voluntarily abide by the law without being coerced to do so. These two theories, the conflict theory, and the social control theory act as grounds for evaluating individual behavior as they interact with the wider society while abiding by the societal norms. By evaluating these individuals behaviors, the theories help to regulate their conducts while at the same time giving guidance on the right things to do or the most appropriate ways of conducting themselves. This ensures harmony and peaceful coexistence among the members of the society. Each person lives without infringing on the other persons rights or freedom. A critical view of these two theories presents them as giving avenue and direction concerning conflict resolution in case of a dispute. Both theories also recognize that all human beings are at one point or another exposed to crime and deviance and, therefore, this makes it easy for individuals to reach an agreement and forgive offenders by reaching a mutual agreement. This is also made effective when these theories give an explanation to other external factors that push individuals into criminal activities as opposed to the individual decision. Both theories recognize the role of education in maintaining order in the society. This is because, the norms that are meant to govern individual conduct are learned rather than inborn and can also be unlearned if not consistently practiced. These norms facilitate proper societal functioning while helping the compliant individuals to develop and improve their standards according to the requirements of the theories. My Preferred Theory in the Contemporary American Society In order to attain the desired order in the society by reducing and controlling deviance, certain measures have to be put in place the most relevant type of theory between the two as far as addressing occurrence of crime and deviance in the current American society is the theory of social control. As per this theory, an individual can take up the initiative of maintaining their attachment to the American society as they get to learn the norms that are meant to shape their conducts. This will help in the restoration of order and peace in the society because the theory gives guidance to individuals to become more responsible and abiding by the norms of the contemporary American society. The use of social control theory will help to shape the American laws since the individuals will take it as their own responsibility to maintain the societal bond. This theory will also help curb the problem caused by the issue of power difference that easily causes people to commit crimes. This will ensure that people’s actions are guided to the direction required by the general belief. Another reason that makes me prefer this theory is the fact that it has the ability to regulate individual behavior. It does not just explain the problem but rather gives insight to the solution. By giving people the opportunity to practice the required behavior without being coerced or supervised by any person (Hirschi, 2002, 53). This ensures that people show their true actions without fear of victimization thereby making it easy for the society to correct and direct them. Evaluation of Effects of Positive and Negative Reinforcement Reinforcement can possibly be used to control individual behavior to avoid deviance in the society. Positive reinforcement can be used to ensure individuals especially those that tend to deviate from the societal norms to abide by the laws (Siegel, 2008, 108). This involves giving rewards to individuals after attaining a given desired behavior. For example, a youth being rewarded for being the most disciplined in the town. On the other hand, the negative reinforcement involves taking away given freedoms from individuals who deviate from the norms causing them to change if they still need their privileges. A good example is detainment of criminals in prisons for committing certain crimes. For the social control theory, these reward systems would act as motivation for individuals to learn and practice the ascribed societal rules and regulations to maintain law and order. Rewards cause individuals to develop positive behavioral conduct. For instance, students get motivated to perform better when rewarded for being the most disciplined. On the other hand, reinforcement may be a bit tricky for the conflict theory since it does not solve the existing social problems that expose people to deviant behaviors. For instance, rewarding a poor person for abstaining from crime may not stop them from committing the crime since what they need is a change in social class that will completely lift them off the poverty level. References Andersen, M., & Taylor, H. (2007). Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society, Updated. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A general theory of crime. Broadway, Redwood City, CA: Stanford University Press. Grant, D. S., & Martinez, R. (1997). Crime and the Restructuring of the US Economy: A Reconsideration of the Class Linkages. Social Forces, 75(3), 769-798. Hirschi, T. (2002). Causes of delinquency. Transaction publishers. Pratt, T. C., & Cullen, F. T. (2000). The empirical status of Gottfredson and Hirschis general theory of crime: A meta‐analysis. Criminology, 38(3), 931-964. Siegel, L. (2008). Criminology: Theories, patterns, and typologies. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Read More