The Walter Reckless’ Containment theory claims that those who resist anti-social temptations are contained by two overlapping forms of containment- outer and inner. The idea of self-concept is pivotal as it claims that those with a more negative self-concept become more likely to engage in criminal activities. I will be drawing attention upon the four main factors of inner containment which are the following: self-concept, goal orientation, frustration tolerance and norm erosion (Control theory, University of Portsmouth). Whilst I shall be providing critiques for the theory, I will also be heavily using the case study of the Columbine High shooting as supporting evidence.
A strength of the containment theory is that there is evidence for the …show more content…
In the Columbine High shooting case it is clear to see that the parents were in fact not the most influential source. From the extract of ‘A Mother’s Reckoning’ by Sue Klebold, Dylan was claimed to have had a loving mother who cared for him, gave him his space and had ‘hands on parents.’ On occasions such as these it becomes difficult to understand why Klebold engaged in such a horrific act as he appeared to have a supportive and loving family to guide him. Sue, Dylan’s mother, in an interview (Diane Sawyer 2016) claimed that she felt Dylan’s irritability and sullen behaviour was just a phase. Nonetheless, according to the comments section from a Colorado article, some argue that the parents should have been able to detect signs of the mental illness (Susan Greene, The Colorado Independent, 2016). If they had intervened more in addressing this issue, then perhaps they would have been able to become more of an influential source of Dylan’s control and behaviour. When Dylan first engaged in a few felonies he was told by his mother that it was wrong to steal and she took away his privileges. Thus, this shows that the parents did not encourage or ignore any unlawful behaviour which could have been a reason as to why he would continue committing crimes. The parents responded to Dylan’s unlawful behaviour with a punishment in hopes that he would learn from it. Ergo, perhaps it can be argued that it was his friend, Eric Harris that had the biggest influence on Dylan’s control and behaviour and not the parents. As mentioned before the boys differed in personalities. Dylan, throughout his diary journals, often blamed himself and God (for creating someone like Dylan). This may explain why it was easier for him to become influenced by a stronger character such as Eric.
A strength of the containment theory is that there is evidence for the …show more content…
In the Columbine High shooting case it is clear to see that the parents were in fact not the most influential source. From the extract of ‘A Mother’s Reckoning’ by Sue Klebold, Dylan was claimed to have had a loving mother who cared for him, gave him his space and had ‘hands on parents.’ On occasions such as these it becomes difficult to understand why Klebold engaged in such a horrific act as he appeared to have a supportive and loving family to guide him. Sue, Dylan’s mother, in an interview (Diane Sawyer 2016) claimed that she felt Dylan’s irritability and sullen behaviour was just a phase. Nonetheless, according to the comments section from a Colorado article, some argue that the parents should have been able to detect signs of the mental illness (Susan Greene, The Colorado Independent, 2016). If they had intervened more in addressing this issue, then perhaps they would have been able to become more of an influential source of Dylan’s control and behaviour. When Dylan first engaged in a few felonies he was told by his mother that it was wrong to steal and she took away his privileges. Thus, this shows that the parents did not encourage or ignore any unlawful behaviour which could have been a reason as to why he would continue committing crimes. The parents responded to Dylan’s unlawful behaviour with a punishment in hopes that he would learn from it. Ergo, perhaps it can be argued that it was his friend, Eric Harris that had the biggest influence on Dylan’s control and behaviour and not the parents. As mentioned before the boys differed in personalities. Dylan, throughout his diary journals, often blamed himself and God (for creating someone like Dylan). This may explain why it was easier for him to become influenced by a stronger character such as Eric.