Final answer:
Control theory indicates that social control arises from the strength of social bonds an individual has within society and suggests those with stronger ties are less likely to engage in deviance or crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
Control theory posits that our connections within society, specifically the strength of our social bonds, directly influence our tendency towards or against deviant behavior. According to this theory, individuals who experience a sense of belonging and integration within their community are less likely to engage in acts of deviance. Deviance, in this context, is understood as a violation of social norms that can range from minor infractions to serious crimes.
Travis Hirschi, a prominent advocate for control theory, outlined four types of social bonds that are crucial in linking individuals to their community: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. These bonds act as deterrents from deviant behavior, as they reflect the individuals' connections to others, their investment in the community, their participation in socially legitimate activities, and their shared values with society. Individuals who lack these strong social ties may feel disconnected and thus may be more prone to engage in criminal activities, which is contrary to the idea that conformity to the prevailing cultural norms of lower-class society causes crime.
The theory refutes other perspectives that suggest that crime is a result of individual learning through close associations, particularly differential association theory, which contends that individuals learn to become deviant from those around them. Instead, control theory focuses on the larger social factors that foster a bond to society and thus promote social order and conformity.