Final answer:
Social control theory, as proposed by Travis Hirschi, suggests that strong social bonds to family, community, and conventional activities deter criminal behavior. Weak bonds in these areas can lead to an increased likelihood of engaging in crime. The theory explains why crime might persist within families across generations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social Control Theory and Criminal Behavior
Social control theory proposes that people's relationships, commitments, values, norms, and beliefs encourage them not to break the law. According to Travis Hirschi, the strength of these social bonds directly determines the likelihood of criminal behavior. There are four distinct types of social bonds: Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, and Belief. Weak social bonds can lead to criminal behavior. For example, if individuals have a weak attachment to their family or community, they might care less about others' opinions and expectations. This means they could be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, as they may not fear the disapproval that stronger social ties might help mitigate. Similarly, lacking commitment to community activities or institutions reduces the personal cost of criminal conduct, as there's less at stake for the individual .High levels of involvement in conventional activities, such as educational programs or employment, tend to protect against criminal behavior by reducing the time and opportunity for deviance. Lastly, if someone doesn't share the belief in common social values, they are less likely to follow the rules and norms that uphold them, potentially leading to criminal acts. A weakened bond in any of these areas can result in an increased propensity for criminal behavior, as highlighted by empirical research which finds continuity in criminality across generations within families, regardless of various socioeconomic factors.