NCJ Number
231670
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: Summer 2010 Pages: 1-12
Date Published
2010
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined social control theory as a predictor of gang membership.
Abstract
Among the most influential and widely cited criminological perspectives is control theory. For decades, social control theory and, in particular, Travis Hirschi's version of social control theory was regarded as one of the most empirically supported. Hirschi and Gottfredson emphasized self-control in their general theory of crime; this theory incorporated and expanded upon the earlier versions of social control theory. In this paper, an assessment of how well both social control theory and the general theory - with its emphasis on self-control - is made regarding how these explanations help to account for gang membership. The study compares the effects of control theory variables with the influence of peer delinquency. Tables and references (Published Abstract)