The Control Theory

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Control Theory is the theory of support. This theory demonstrates an individual's social bonds in relation to their performance. Since certain bonds are stronger in certain kinds of lifestyles the affects will be different in all situations. Control theorists believe “in the rationality of the criminal act that the individual behaves in a criminal manner for ordinary reasons, and this behavior arises out of the person’s own free will” (Moyer, 2001, 133). However, deviant behavior is prevalent in today’s society. It is a major problem concerning adolescents all across the world. This theory carries serious paternalistic roles.

When we are born our brain lacks knowledge. It is innate for the individual to absorb the environments mentality. As the person grows older the individual would perceive several different perspectives about life. Therefore, it is for the individual to decide whether he/she would choose the right path. Parents with large families may be less able to distinguish deviant behavior in their children because it is more complicated to supervise their daily behavior. For instance, it will be less effective to control their misconduct when they are a greater number of children in the family.

Tittle argues that “ the amount of control to which one is subject relative to the amount of control one can exercise affects not only the probability that one will engage in a deviant act, but also the specific form or type of deviance” (Piquero,1999). Numerous reasons why the deviant behavior maybe lack of support from parents/guardians, peers, lack of attention, resources, opportunities, money, etc. He defines deviance as “any behavior that the majority of a given group regards as unacceptable or that typically evokes a ...

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...). Predicting Nonconventional Religious Affiliation in Tokyo: A Control Theory Application. Social Forces, 71(2), 397-410. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Moyer, I. L. (2001). Criminological Theories: Tradition and Nontraditional Voices and

Nontraditional Voices and Theories. The Control Theorists (pp 131-158). Thousand Oaks, Ca: Sage.

Tittle, C. R., Ward, D. A., & Grasmick, H. G. (2003). Self-Control and Crime/Deviance: Cognitive vs. Behavioral Measures. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 19(4), 333-365. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Vazsonyi, A. T., & Huang, L. (2010). Where Self-Control Comes From: On the Development of Self-Control and Its Relationship to Deviance Over Time. Developmental Psychology, 46(1), 245-257. Doi: 10.1037/a0016538

Warr, M. (1993). Parents, Peers and Delinquency. Social Forces, 72(1), 247-264. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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