Social Bond Theory in the Criminal Justice System
Introduction
Social Bond Theory is a criminological theory that explains the relationship between an individual’s social bonds and their propensity to engage in criminal behavior. This theory puts emphasis on the essential role of social connections in shaping an individual’s actions and habits. It posits that people who have obtained strong ties to conventional society are less likely to participate in criminal and delinquent activities. Social Bond Theory has practical applications in the criminal justice system, such as designing programs to reduce lawbreaking behavior and promote positive social relationships. It is therefore hypothesized that Social Bond Theory is important to study in the criminal justice system as it creates a framework for understanding the role of social factors in crime prevention and intervention.
History of the Social Bond Theory
Travis Hirschi developed the Social Bond Theory in his 1969 book “Causes of Delinquency.” He created this theory as a response to the prevailing ideas of the time, which focused on the individual characteristics of delinquents and failed to account for the role of social factors (Siegel, 2018). Hirschi’s goal was to explain how social factors such as family, school, and community could influence individuals’ propensity to engage in delinquent behavior. The historical context likely influenced Hirschi’s thinking because the 1960s were a period of social disruption in the United States, with growing concern over rising crime rates (Costello & Laub, 2019). The author was inspired by the work of sociologist Emile Durkheim who claimed a connection between individual behavior and societal institutions (Costello & Laub, 2019). Since then, Social Bond Theory has been influential in developing other theories, such as Social Learning Theory and Labeling Theory (Siegel, 2018). It has also been used to guide the development of interventions aimed at preventing delinquency and crime by strengthening individuals’ social bonds to conventional society.
Main Aspects
Social Bond Theory is a criminological theory suggesting that individuals with strong ties to conventional society are less likely to engage in criminal and delinquent behavior. Those who have strong social bonds to their families, schools, and communities are more likely to be socialized into conventional norms and values and, therefore, less likely to engage in criminal behavior (Siegel, 2018). Social Bond Theory consists of four key elements: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Together, these four elements of social bonds shape an individual’s relationship with society and influence their behavior. It makes Social Bond Theory an important framework for understanding criminal behavior and informing interventions aimed at reducing delinquency and promoting positive social connections.
Attachment relates to the emotional connections individuals have with their families, friends, and communities. The study by Lee et al. (2021) found that stronger social bonds with parents and peers decreased involvement in cyberbullying behavior by 51% for each unit increase in social bond scores. Individuals with strong emotional ties to their families and communities are more likely to feel a sense of responsibility towards them. Therefore, they are less prone to take part in criminal or delinquent types of activities.
Commitment refers to the investment individuals have in conventional goals, such as education or career success. For example, a study of white-collar offenders found that less proneness to crime was associated with a lack of career opportunities, advancement, and job satisfaction (van Onna & Denkers, 2019). Specifically, the odds of engaging in white-collar crime decreased by 20% for each point increase in commitment (van Onna & Denkers, 2019). Most likely, it happens because individuals who are firmly committed to these goals do not want to jeopardize their success.
Involvement describes the time and energy individuals spend on conventional activities. Participation in extracurricular activities was found to be a protective factor against bullying and criminal behaviors. Lee et al. (2021) reported that with every unit rise in involvement, the propensity to break the law by 27%. Furthermore, a study conducted by the National Mentoring Partnership found that at-risk youth who participated in mentoring programs and took part in extracurricular activities were less prone to delinquent behavior (DuBois, 2021). When individuals are involved in extracurricular and hobby activities, they rarely have an opportunity to spend time on criminal activities.
Belief regards individuals’ acceptance of conventional societal norms and values. For instance, research by van Onna and Denkers (2019) found that white-collar offenders who had stronger beliefs in conventional values were less likely to engage in white-collar crime. In particular, for every increment in belief, the likelihood of committing white-collar crime is reduced by 26% (van Onna & Denkers, 2019). When individuals have a strong belief in conventional values, they find other ways to express their dissatisfaction without harming others.
Practical Application
Social Bond Theory has two important practical applications in the criminal justice system. By emphasizing the importance of social connections, this theory provides a framework for developing interventions and programs to reduce delinquent and criminal behavior. These interventions can focus on reinforcing individual connections to positive activities and promoting positive social relationships, ultimately helping to prevent criminal behavior and create a safer, more secure society.
First, Social Bond Theory can help policy-makers design programs aimed at reducing delinquent behavior. These programs would revolve around nurturing individual connections to constructive ways to spend time, such as sports, clubs, and other community-based initiatives. By strengthening social ties, individuals are more likely to develop a sense of commitment to society and its norms. This approach has been supported by research, which found that social connections, particularly with parents and peers, were important protective factors against cyberbullying perpetration (Lee et al., 2021). Specifically, students who reported stronger social bonds with their parents and peers had a lower propensity to engage in harmful or deviant actions.
Second, Social Bond Theory underscores the importance of promoting constructive and supportive social relationships and connections with society as a means of preventing criminal behavior. A study by van Onna and Denkers (2019) found that individuals who had stronger social ties, particularly with their families, were less likely to engage in white-collar crime. This suggests that interventions aimed at building up social bonds can be effective in preventing not only delinquent behavior but also more serious forms of criminality.
Usage in Criminal Justice Study
The Social Bond Theory is a valuable tool in the field of criminal justice for several reasons. First and foremost, it provides a clear and concise explanation of why crimes occur and what can be done to prevent them. If society wants to reduce the overall level of crime, then the use of aggressive measures and increased patrols and police funding do not remove the root cause of crime. Instead, lawmakers and executives should look at how better social connections can make a difference. The theory’s fundamental idea is straightforward: people who feel connected to their community are less likely to perpetrate or violate the norms.
The practical uses of Social Bond Theory in the criminal justice system are significant. It has been supported by a notable body of research, which adds to its usefulness and relevance in the criminal justice field (Lee et al., 2021; van Onna & Denkers, 2019; Costello, B., & Laub, 2019). Policy-makers can design effective intervention programs to reduce delinquent behavior by understanding the importance of social connections and relationships. For instance, mentoring programs and community-based initiatives can help to strengthen individuals’ bonds with their families, schools, and communities. Mentoring programs for at-risk youth have been recognized as promising interventions for delinquency prevention (DuBois, 2021). Such programs aim to create strong, constructive relationships between mentors and mentees that foster healthy social connections, promote positive behaviors, and improve self-esteem and confidence. Research has shown that mentoring programs can have a beneficial impact on a range of outcomes, including reducing delinquency, increasing school attendance and academic achievement, improving mental health, and promoting pro-social behaviors.
Conclusion
The Social Bond Theory developed by Travis Hirschi suggests that the strength of social connections heavily influences an individual’s likelihood of committing a crime. It asserts that four dimensions are crucial: attachment to family and friends, commitment to traditional goals, participation in day-to-day activities, and adherence to moral principles. This theory highlights the importance of nurturing strong social ties as a preventive measure against criminal and deviant behavior. Practical applications include promoting healthy relationships, supporting programs encouraging social engagement, and bolstering positive social reinforcement. Interventions aimed at reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors can significantly contribute to reducing criminal and deviant behavior.
References
Costello, B., & Laub. (2019). Social Control Theory: The Legacy of Travis Hirschi’s Causes of Delinquency. Annual Review of Criminology, 21–41. Web.
DuBois, D. L. (2021). Mentoring programs for youth: A promising intervention for delinquency prevention. National Institute of Justice. Web.
Lee, S. S., Song, H., & Park, J. H. (2021). Exploring Risk and Protective Factors for Cyberbullying and Their Interplay: Evidence from a Sample of South Korean College Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(24), 13415. Web.
Siegel, L. J. (2018). Criminology: The Core (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
van Onna, J. H. R., & Denkers, A. J. M. (2019). Social bonds and white-collar crime: A two-study assessment of informal social controls in white-collar offenders. Deviant Behavior, 40(10), 1206-1225. Web.