Question

Jane is a senior in college and is having trouble affording the textbooks she needs. Her best friend suggests that she steal the books from the university bookstore. Jane rejects this option because she knows that if she is caught stealing, she could be expelled. She has invested a lot of time and money in her education and is not willing to risk the chance of being kicked out of the university and not earning her degree. Jane best represents which component of Hirschi's social bond?

a) Attachment.
b) Commitment.
c) Involvement.
d) Belief.

Answer 1

Jane's decision to not steal the textbooks despite financial difficulties highlights the 'commitment' component of Hirschi's social bond theory, as she values her investments in her education and future career.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jane is a senior in college who is contemplating how to handle the financial burden of affording textbooks for her courses. When her best friend suggests stealing them, Jane rejects this idea because she realizes the potential consequences of being expelled from the university, which would jeopardize the significant investment she has made in her education. This scenario best demonstrates the concept of commitment, which is one of the four components of Travis Hirschi's social bond theory. Commitment refers to the investments that individuals make in their community, including education, career, and reputation, which in turn influence their decision to conform to societal norms and laws to avoid jeopardizing those investments.