Rational And Control Theory In Criminology

Introduction - The subjects of study which has “logy” in them became very popular from previous century. The critics are getting involved very much in every field. Theories need to be proved properly and use practically in favour of mankind. In Criminology, from the beginning the laws were introduced by the high class people in western countries. Some of their hypothesis and assumptions were shown as right without any scientific proofs. The rational and control theories are in this debate from ages. Some argues these are perfect and should use as a major criminology theories but some disagree. Both theories are very complex and flexible which is the main reason why they still exist and working. In brief, rational choice theory means that every …show more content…
He did advocate the control theory from the long time. He argued that individual who is tightly bonded to a social group such as family or school is less likely to become offender and increase person’s likelihood of obeying rules, because of the development of self-control (superego). Hirschi listed the four key interrelated elements in the creation and maintenance of this bond. The first and most important is Attachment then the second one is Commitment, third is Involvement and fourth is belief (Jones, 2012). A General Theory of Crime (1990) by Michael Gottfredson and Hirschi again try to expose that a person with low self-control if ever get an opportunity, crime will happen. There are numerous reasons for that such as sometimes they prefer quick solutions, not being able to plan or predict things and so on. Usually offenders failed at school, work and in marriages. In simple words they are bit different from the beginning and that is why good parenting is needed. After the Gottfredson and Hirschi’s book twenty-one studies published in ten years. They support that there is a strong relation between low self-control and crime …show more content…
Hirschi shift the basic question of criminology which is “why did they do it” to “why did not they do it”. The control theory is mainly depend on assumptions. Predictions can possibly on the basis of individual’s belief can be wrong. They said everyone can commit crime which practically seems not so true. In older age social bonds break sometimes, but most people do not commit crime then. Opponents shows that this has more effect on property and drug crime instead of violent ones. Overall males commit more crime than women. According to old theories it is impossible to prove high level crime such as white color crimes. They do over prediction sometimes which cannot affordable practically. Rational choice theories often use similar to choice theory but these are different. Most crimes do not appear rational to most people. It do not stop the crime just change the area