Social Control Theory Of Crime Essay

Most theories in criminology aim to explain why one commits crime. However, Hirschi’s social control theory allows us to think of crime from another perspective - why does one choose not to commit crime. Hirschi thinks that we are all animals and it is in our nature to commit crime; thus he wants to find out what exactly convinced us not to commit crime. He has come up with four elements that determine if we have the self control to choose not to commit crime: attachment to others; commitment to conventionality; involvement in conventional activity; and belief in the rules of society. He thinks that without anyone of the elements, one will have no self control and choose to commit crime. As this theory was developed in the United States, and has not been tested in Singapore, where the culture is different, I will …show more content…
This can be explained through the four elements of the social control theory. Firstly, I have a high attachment to others. Because I have friends and family who love me as much as I do, I feel that I would let them down if I did steal something. They would be so disappointed in me, especially my parents as they would feel their effort put into raising me as a person with a strong moral conscience has been wasted. I would not want to see them like this and certainly do not want to disappoint them. Hence, I choose not to commit the crime.

Secondly, I have a strong commitment to conventionality. Perhaps it is due to my upbringing from a working class family, I am taught to be down to earth and to invest my time in education so that I can eventually get a career and have a better future than my parents. I took up a bank loan to further my education, I not only have debts to repay, I am also entering my third and final year of study. I cannot afford to do something foolish and ruin my studies and future that I have invested so much time and money on. Hence, I choose not to commit the